Arsenal fail to build on another lead as John Fleck's volley earns Sheffield United well-earned point
Signs of promise, particularly in youth, but a lingering defensive vulnerability that undermined their attacking efforts. Sound familiar? It must feel that way for Mikel Arteta, who has only been in charge for six games but is already flicking through the same script as his predecessors in the Arsenal dugout.
Once again, Arsenal showed glimpses of the football they want to be playing under Arteta. Once again, they took the lead. Once again, their defence failed to hold firm under pressure, and three points soon became one.
At least it was one point, because by the end it may well have been none against a Sheffield United side that started strongly and finished stronger at the Emirates. John Fleck scored the second-half equaliser for Chris Wilder’s team, who had fallen behind when the energetic Gabriel Martinelli, only 18, had put Arsenal ahead.
There was refereeing controversy, too. That felt almost as inevitable as Arsenal’s defensive surrender, given it was Mike Dean’s 500th Premier League match. The great showman of the refereeing world has never missed an opportunity to take centre stage and his refusal (along with VAR) to award Arsenal a penalty in the second half was a key moment of the afternoon.
It was Nicolas Pepe who had been brought down, rather abruptly, after a surging run into the Sheffield United penalty box. Dean shook his head, and the great adjudicator in Stockley Park came down on the side of their referee. Sheffield United escaped, then went up the other end and equalised. “I think it is very clear,” said Arteta of the decision.
What was also clear was Sheffield United’s industriousness. Wilder’s side are above Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal for a reason and their resilience proved crucial in the second half. “I don’t think we were anywhere near our best,” Wilder said. “The result is better than the performance.”
Arsenal were not at their best, either, although they will feel they should have won the game during a period of dominance after half-time. Chances were wasted, though, and a one-goal lead is never enough with this Arsenal side.
“I am very disappointed,” said Arteta. “In the Premier League, if you don't put the game to bed then in the last 10 or 15 minutes this type of team just needs a long ball, a second ball, a set-piece, and you can give the points away.”
The positives came from the teenagers, largely. Bukayo Saka performed well from an unfamiliar left-back position and Martinelli impressed again in attack, scoring his ninth goal of a remarkable debut season in English football. “Gabi is gonna be a superstar,” tweeted the suspended Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, watching from the stands.
Martinelli’s goal, tapped in from Saka’s close-range cross, gave Arsenal the lead at the end of a first half in which they had gradually improved following a slow start. Pepe showed moments of quality again, albeit in bursts, and Alexandre Lacazette was increasingly creative in central positions.
For a while, Arsenal were in control. Martinelli was nutmegging defenders, Torreira scurried around midfield and the introduction from the bench of young Eddie Nketiah brought more excitement to the crowd.
But the nervousness is always there with this Arsenal and this defence. The equaliser came from a largely harmless position, with Callum Robinson standing up a simple cross to the back post. From there it bobbled to Fleck, whose effort spun into the ground, and then up into the top corner. “It's just one long ball, a second ball and then someone put it in the top bin from an incredible angle,” said Arteta. “It's difficult to control.”
Join me in the comments
I will be answering any questions or comments in the comments section for the next 10 or 15 minutes. Has the Arteta revolution stalled? How do Sheffield United manage to be this good?
FT: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 1
Arsenal's 11th draw of the season, they just cannot find a way to eke out a run of wins. Another good point for Sheffield United who stay four points clear of today''s opponents.
93 minutes: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 1
Dying moments and Arsenal have a corner at the end. Mustafi wins the header at the near post but Henderson takes it.
91 minutes: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 1
Three minutes off added time to play and United are pouring forward again. This time it's Besic with a cracking strike on the volley that Leno holds.
90 minutes: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 1
Ooooooohhh, the best chance to win the game dropped to Sheffield United. The ball fell to McBurnie, middle of goal, 10 yards out, but Luiz charged down his shot with a great block and Maitland-Niles did likewise to stop the rebound.
87 minutes: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 1
Arsenal now trying to find the resources to grab a late winner themselves, but there have not been many chances in this second half. Will Arteta regret taking Lacazette off.
85 minutes: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 1
Sheffield United have the chance to put Arsenal under more pressure, but Saka heads the free-kick away. Torreira wins a foul at the edge of the box just as it looked a little bit nervy for Arsenal.
What a finish
83' WHAT. A. FINISH.
Sharp keeps the cross alive and it falls to Fleck. The Scotsman shows amazing technique as he volleys the ball into ground and into the top corner.
�� #AFC 1 - 1 #SUFC ⚪️ https://t.co/s2TSgodB8y— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) January 18, 2020
GOOOOOOAAAAALLL! Sheffield United have an equaliser
What outstanding finish by Fleck. The cross came to him at the back post, and he drilled a volley into the turf that skipped up and found the top corner across Leno. Out of nowhere.
80 minutes: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 0
Mustafi hooks an excellent cross from Norwood behind for a corner. The much maligned German did well there to give him due credit.
McBurnie was up from the corner but heads straight at Leno.
78 minutes: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 0
Pepe sees a shot blocked, but again there is no exit route for Sheffield United and Arsenal sweep up at the back easily. United look like they have run out of gas here.
76 minutes: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 0
Arsenal are winning so many second balls now and look faster and sharper than United. Nketiah is stretching their defence really well but snatches at a shot from a tight angle. Besic on for Basham.
73 minutes: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 0
Lovely from Pepe again to release Saka and the ball runs out to Torreira, who is pushed in the back. Arsenal free kick, 25 yards out very central. Lacazette to take...but it loops over.
Nketiah then replaces him.
70 minutes: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 0
Might be some VAR controversy here as Pepe skips inside and looks to be caught on the shin, but the technology backs up Dean's original decision of no penalty. It looked like there was a clear movement towards Pepe and contact. Nketiah coming on for Arsenal.
67 minutes: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 0
Saka and Martinelli have linked up well, and the Brazilian flicks the ball of a United leg for a corner. Pepe's delivery is usually good and he looks for Lacazette at the near post, but the striker is penalised for a foul.
United change: Robinson replaces Lundstram.
65 minutes: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 0
Will Mikel Arteta look to his bench? Guendouzi and Ceballos options to give Arsenal another passing option in midfield. Sheffield United have a good level of control at the moment, even if they are not testing Leno.
63 minutes: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 0
Lacazette pulled up for an obvious shove in the back. Good covering from Mustafi to cut out a through ball, but at the expense of a corner. Another test for Leno, but Arsenal breathe again as Lundstrum's shot flies over the bar.
61 minutes: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 0
This time Ozil is the guilty party for getting the weight of his pass wrong when he had time to pick out Martinelli. Arsenal are passing up chances to create chances, if that makes sense.
59 minutes: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 0
Arsenal not making the right decision when they get the chance to counter attack in the second half, Pepe guilty of holding on to the ball for too long. That was better by the winger though, isolating O'Connell and almost picking out Lacazette.
Horrendous cross from Maitland-Niles goes behind, he has struggled in possession today.
56 minutes: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 0
Xhaka with a terrible square pass in midfield that Sheffield United pounce on. To Arsenal's credit, they get back in numbers and slow down the counter but a deflection means the visitors have a corner.
Oooooh, gasps all around the Emirates as Leno is caught in no man's land and Arsenal have to clear off the line. Not clear which United head met the corner. It was McBurnie, and Xhaka was the man on the cover.
53 minutes: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 0
Sheffield United's turn to get a free kick and McBurnie spins behind Xhaka who comes straight through the back of him. Norwood to whip it in from wide on the right, but it is straight down Leno's throat. Good hands from the goalkeeper again to keep hold of Egan's low cross. Mousset now far from getting a toe on it.
51 minutes: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 0
Excellent again from Saka, who drives past Baldock who has to haul him down at the expense of a yellow card. Silly shot from distance by David Luiz and the ball flies miles over.
49 minutes: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 0
Cracking delivery from the left but no Arsenal player attacked the cross and Sheffield United head clear. Arsenal have another chance to break but the ball runs under Lacazett's foot, but Dean pulls play back for a foul on Saka. Baldock caught him with his arm.
47 minutes: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 0
Arsenal straight back in to a long passing sequence, trying to switch the play from side to side to make Sheffield United's midfield three run themselves into the ground.
Good goalkeeping from Henderson to come and claim as Luiz tries to pick out Martinelli with a long ball.
We' re back under way!
Arsenal get us going.
Story of the half
- Sheffield United completed 23 passes in the attacking third to Arsenal's 10 in the first 20 minutes, which is a reflection of their start to the game.
- Arsenal have struggled to link departments of their team in possession. Martinelli and Pepe are playing really wide and Xhaka is dropping deep, and it leaves a big central space for Torreira, Ozil and Lacazette to occupy. When Arsenal push up the pitch more than they did in the first 20, that space closes up.
- Arsenal have completed 80% of their passes which is a bit lower than it ought to be as a team.
- Sheffield United had just two shots and completed 48 passes after the 25th minute. They looked secure at the back, but stopped stringing together any passing sequences. You could see Wilder's consternation at this problem.
HT: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 0
A much-needed boost for Arsenal close to the break after a strong Sheffield United start. They are very much still in this.
The goalscorer
GABI-GOOAAALLLLLL!!! ����
�� 1-0 ⚔️ (45)#ARSSHUpic.twitter.com/srKAXO6ALS— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 18, 2020
46 minutes: Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 0
Two minutes of stoppage time to play.
GOOOOOOOAAAAAALL! Arsenal lead through Martinelli
Arsenal were enjoying a spell of control but not looking like scoring, until Saka's deflected cross found the head of Martinelli just a few yards out in front of an open goal. Could not miss, but great instinct to be in the right place at the right time.
43 minutes: Arsenal 0 Sheffield United 0
Pepe wants a free-kick close to the touchline, but Dean is unmoved and the balk runs for a throw in. Maitland Niles indecisive on the right when supporting an Arsenal attack, not for the first time this afternoon.
40 minutes: Arsenal 0 Sheffield United 0
Arteta not happy with the time United are taking over goal kicks. Lots of pressing and graft from both teams, but neither has kept the ball very well in the last 10 minutes or so.
38 minutes: Arsenal 0 Sheffield United 0
Granit Xhaka has been dropping in behind the left-back in Arteta's first few games, but he is really deep today. Almost playing as part of a back five as a left centre-back at times. Making it difficult for Arsenal to stitch things together in midfield.
35 minutes: Arsenal 0 Sheffield United 0
Torreira is indeed fine to come back on after a change of shorts. Good driving run from Stevens and he gets the better of Maitland-Niles, but Torreira and Mustafi do enough between them to clear.
32 minutes: Arsenal 0 Sheffield United 0
Good industry by Arsenal to win consecutive second balls, and Torreira shoots from range - bounces just in front of Henderson but he gathers.
The midfielder is down moments later, after getting the ball in face from point blank range. I think he should be fine to continue.
29 minutes: Arsenal 0 Sheffield United 0
Sheffield United respond with one of those overlapping centre-backs, this time it is O'Connell who gets down the left and creates an overload but good defending again by David Luiz to get first contact on his ball in. This has been a very even game, not much to separate the teams, but Arsenal's midfield is struggling to exert much influence.
27 minutes: Arsenal 0 Sheffield United 0
Excellent work by Saka who made a diagonal recovery run into midfield to regain possession. The move results in an Arsenal corner that is headed clear, and then Xhaka shapes to shoot but tries to slip a pass through to Martinelli that the forward was not expecting.
25 minutes: Arsenal 0 Sheffield United 0
Arsenal starting to dominate possession with a little more authority now, slowing the tempo of the game. This game would have been perfect for Aubameyang with Sheffield United trying to squeeze up the pitch. Leno gets away with a moment of indecision but Arsenal get through the United pressure.
22 minutes: Arsenal 0 Sheffield United 0
That was sensational skill by Pepe to dance around two, then three United players, and he feeds a pass into the path of Martinelli who was making a fine diagonal run from the left but his low shot went wide.
20 minutes: Arsenal 0 Sheffield United 0
Stoppage in play because McBurnie is down, holding a delicate area. He tried to close down Xhaka when the Arsenal man switched play, but Xhaka's left foot caught him a glancing blow after he made contact with the ball. Play up and running again.
18 minutes: Arsenal 0 Sheffield United 0
It is strange seeing a team come to the Emirates and step on to Arsenal, but Leeds and Sheffield United are showing it can be done and bear fruit.
They have another set-piece, that Norwood whips to the back post but Luiz is fouled in the second phase and Arsenal have a free-kick.
15 minutes: Arsenal 0 Sheffield United 0
Arsenal's best moment - this time the pass is right from Lacazette and Pepe catches this high Sheffield United defence square to race behind in the right channel. Picks out Martinelli at the back post with his cross but he volleyed wide. Tough change bu good move. Good response from Sheffield United though, settling into another composed spell of possession.
12 minutes: Arsenal 0 Sheffield United 0
Torreira had time on the ball then, but his lofted pass over the top was to no one in particular. Not the first time Arsenal have given the ball away trying to be direct.
Sheffield United threatening again, switching play really quickly and catching Arsenal out. Fleck this time whips a ball across that Mustafi just about gets a foot to clear. Shades of the first half against Leeds in the cup so far.
9 minutes: Arsenal 0 Sheffield United 0
This has been a rough start by Arsenal, their back four looks as uncertain as you would expect from such stand-in personnel. They work a corner well to O'Connell at the back post but the offside flag comes to Arsenal's rescue.
7 minutes: Arsenal 0 Sheffield United 0
Good industry by Ozil to pinch the ball back after losing possession. Arsenal give Martinelli something to chase but Sheffield United keep their cool and play out from the back well.
Then they threaten at the other end as Mustafi dithers trying to shepherd the ball out and McBurnie very nearly got his shot off in the penalty area. Let off for Arsenal and shaky start by Mustafi.
Moments later, Maitland-Niles gives the ball away and Stevens crosses for Mousset who was in between the two defenders but he headed over.
4 minutes: Arsenal 0 Sheffield United 0
Good pressure from the visitors in midfield to set Mousset away on the counter attack, Saka was forward and out of the picture. Very good one on one defending from Luiz to see him off.
Really open start, Arsenal go down the other end through Xhaka who lofts a ball to Ozil at the top of the penalty area. Flicked to Pepe who tried to take it early on the volley, straight at Henderson.
The tempo is furious, and Norwood catches Torreira on the top of the foot with a late tackle. Yellow card given.
2 minutes: Arsenal 0 Sheffield United 0
Sheffield United try to start on the front foot, but the ball won't quite drop for them in the Arsenal have some early possession. The away team are trying to press quite high, meaning there is space in behind there back three and Arsenal try to turn them early with a ball towards Pepe. Headed out for a throw in.
KICK-OFF!
Mike Dean blows the whistle and Sheffield United, in their neon away strip, get us going.
Players are on their way out of the tunnel
Bright sunshine at the Emirates, not long until KO.
How will Arsenal set-up?
On paper, Arsenal line up in a 4-2-3-1 with Lacazette up top supported by an attacking trio of Nicolas Pepe, Mesut Ozil and Gabriel Martinelli. There has been more going on tactically though, since Arteta took over.
Arsenal actually attack as a unit of five, with the left-back - Bukayo Saka today - high and wide on the left with Granit Xhaka covering for him. Pepe starts wide on the right, with Ozil and Martinelli playing in the half-spaces - those little channels of space that are not quite central or wide.
Arsenal attack in something more like a 2-3-5, W-M shape that we have seen Man City use.
Special anniversary for Mike Dean
He takes charge of his 500th Premier League game today. Despite his reputation as someone who likes hogging the camera a little too much, that is a testament to his quality as a referee as Keith Hackett explains here. Here is a taste:
True, he does regularly top the rankings in terms of yellow cards issued in a season, and there are times when I would like him to manage situations without instantly resorting to bookings, but only rarely can you question that he has applied the law correctly.
The making of Chris Wilder
It is a straight shootout between Jurgen Klopp and Chris Wilder for Premier League manager of the season, and there is a strong case to be made for the Sheffield United man. In December 2008, he took over at Oxford United, a side sitting 13th in the Conference and that had just been deducted five points for fielding an unregistered player. Jim White tells the story of a remarkable rise here.
Sheffield United team and subs: Two up top
Here’s how we line-up ��
Oli McBurnie & Lys Mousset lead the line. Didzy is ruled out with a minor foot injury.#ARSSHU �� pic.twitter.com/LZXRUEMvbR— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) January 18, 2020
Arsenal team and subs: Mustafi in for Sokratis who must have a knock
�� Today's team news...
���� Martinelli in starting XI
���� Mustafi partners David Luiz
���� Torreira also starts
#️⃣ #ARSSHU— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 18, 2020
Arsenal arrive
�� Ready for work.#ARSSHUpic.twitter.com/hYLFhIxONx
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 18, 2020
Arteta has solidified Arsenal - now can he get the attack to click?
Arsenal had the chance to go third when these two teams met at Bramall Lane in October, but a 1-0 defeat in South Yorkshire was the start of a slide down the table and the protracted demise of Unai Emery.
Three months later, Sheffield United will remain ahead of Arsenal in the table even if Mikel Areta's side win at the Emirates. Had you predicted in July that would the state of play more than halfway through the season people would have scoffed.
No team has conceded fewer away goals than Sheffield United and Arsenal are missing Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang through suspension, so this has the potential to be a low-scoring game.
Surprisingly, Arteta has had more of an impact on Arsenal's defence than their attack. In their last three first-halves of Premier League football - against Chelsea, Manchester United and Crystal Palace - Arsenal have conceded just five shots on goal, a marked improvement on the season's early weeks when teams were regularly getting 20 or more per match against them.
Despite their collection of talented individuals in attack, scoring goals has been more of a problem. Arteta watched a goalless draw at Everton from the stands, before Arsenal scored just one goal against Bournemouth, Chelsea, Leeds and Palace. Aubameyang's goal against Chelsea was from a set-piece, as was Arsenal's second against United.
Arteta needs to find a better balance in the final third to try and get Arsenal flowing, or else this could be a frustrating afternoon against a settled team with no fresh injury worries.
The same cannot be said of Arsenal who ate without a senior left back due to Sead Kolasinac's injury and are also sweating on the availability of Lucas Torreira who has been outstanding under Arteta. Reiss Nelson or Gabriel Martinelli are likely to come in for Aubameyang.
Team news shortly.
