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Arsenal v Sheffield United: The Gunners rarely threatened The Blades

By William Dodds

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal challenged by Enda Steven of Sheff United during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Arsenal FC at Bramall Lane on October 21, 2019 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal challenged by Enda Steven of Sheff United during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Arsenal FC at Bramall Lane on October 21, 2019 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) /
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Sheffield United secured a valuable 1-0 home win against Arsenal to move away from the relegation zone while leaving the Gunners in fifth place.

The Blades put in an impressive defensive display to keep Arsenal at arm’s length and took their chance from a corner in the first half with Lys Mousset getting the vital goal.

Arsenal were poor throughout and struggled to create chances, with Nicolas Pepe spurning their best opportunity in the first half.

Granit Xhaka also forced a decent save from Dean Henderson with a speculative volley, but in reality Arsenal rarely threatened and Sheffield United deserved the win.

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Questions have to be asked of Arsenal coach Unai Emery, whose side came out too passively and ceded control to an energetic Blades side.

Before long Arsenal were behind and proved incapable of breaking down a solid United defence.

All three Sheffield United defenders made crucial interventions at times, but in truth Arsenal were rarely able to get in behind.

Emery opted not to select Kieran Tierney and Alexandre Lacazette from the start, while Hector Bellerin wasn’t even in the squad, and Arsenal’s lack of speed and quality from the full-back position was evident.

Too often Calum Chambers and Sead Kolasinac couldn’t provide quite the right service.

Credit should go to Sheffield United though, who stayed compact and chose to give Arsenal space in wide areas from which they could not capitalise.

The Blades also pressed high up during the first half and at the start of the second half, making it hard for Bernd Leno to play out effectively.

For Arsenal, Matteo Guendouzi was once again impressive and all-action, but you can’t help the feeling Emery still doesn’t know how to get the most of out of his midfield.

Arsenal are still yet to put in a truly convincing performance all season and fans are now clamouring for a change in style or a change in coach.

Also. The 10 best Arsenal players to play under Arsene Wenger. light

If things don’t improve, it is hard to see how Emery can stay on.

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