Soccer-Blades closer to drop as Arsenal keep European hopes

Soccer Football - Premier League - Sheffield United v Arsenal - Bramall Lane, Sheffield, Britain - April 11, 2021 Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette celebrates scoring their first goal Pool via REUTERS/Laurence Griffiths

SHEFFIELD (Reuters) -Arsenal kept alive their hopes of playing in European competition next season with a 3-0 win at Sheffield United who were left staring at relegation after Alexandre Lacazette scored twice and Gabriel Martinelli added another on Sunday.

The result lifted Arsenal to ninth place on 45 points from 31 games while Sheffield United stayed rooted to the bottom on 14 points, 18 adrift of safety with seven games remaining.