Sheffield United secured a signature victory on Monday, upending Arsenal, one of the Premier League‘s big boys, 1-0 at Bramall Lane.
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Lys Mousset scored the only goal of the game midway through the first half, and Chris Wilder’s side put forth a defensive clinic to frustrate the Gunners and wrap up their fourth clean sheet of the still-young season.
3 things we learned
- Arsenal’s midfield needs a shakeup -- Granit Xhaka, Matteo Guendouzi and Joe Willock is a thoroughly industrious midfield trio, only lacking someone with the tactical discipline to hold position in front of the backline. All three are at their best when on the ball and pushing forward, which too often leaves the (shaky in its own right) defense far too exposed.
- Sheffield United rock-solid defensively -- For a newly promoted side to come up and hold the joint-best defensive record (7 goals conceded in 9 games, tied with Liverpool) in the PL is no small accomplishment. The Blades were just short of impenetrable on Monday, allowing just nine shots (three on target) to one of the big-six sides.
- No Plan B for Arsenal -- Given the speed they possess on the wings and up front, Arsenal are clearly built to be a counter-attacking team that can punish you at the slightest opening. Against a team like United, though, what happens when the game never opens up and presents those chances? When the game sets up for them, they’re great, but Unai Emery could do with a Plan B. The other option would be to continue dropping points against (with all due respect) much lesser sides.
Man of the Match: Chris Basham
Nicolas Pepe whiffed on the game’s first golden scoring chance in the 21st minute. Sead Kolasinac tore down the left wing and delivered a cross to the top of the six-yard box where Pepe was three yards clear of the nearest defender.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 21, 2019
United went ahead right on the half-hour mark, when Mousset tapped the ball home from close range after Oliver Norwood’s corner kick was headed down by Jack O’Connell. Mousset had worked himself free in the center of the goal mouth and applied the finishing touch from three yards out.
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The more desperate Arsenal got in the second half, the tighter United’s defensive hold became. The Gunners managed just two shots from inside the penalty area in the second half, as the Blades’ line of confrontation dropped deeper and deeper and refused service into the box.
The victory sees United climb six spots in the PL table, up to ninth place, now four points clear of the relegation zone. Arsenal, meanwhile, fell to fifth place after entering the weekend third, thanks to victories by Leicester City and Chelsea.