Mikel Arteta had to once again endure a gory sight of his team managing to get just a point after having the lead till very late in the home match against Sheffield United on Saturday.
It was Sheffield having the stage in terms of game control in the opening period of the match. They made a threat from the right as early as the third minute but David Luiz stepped out to make a block.
The Blades maintained their pressure though found it hard to split our defence apart. In the midst of the struggles, Mousset had a chance which he headed over the woodwork.
Arsenal knew that they had to improve on their inputs. We did along the line. Alexandre Lacazette found Nicolas Pepe on the left and without difficulty, the Ivorian threw a superb pass. Gabriel Martinelli followed it up though it went past the mouth of goal.
It will be unfair not to mention Pepe's dribble past three players to set up Martinelli. Again, it wasn't a fruitful ending.
We went on to dominate possession at the closing period of the opening half. It did not take long before paying off. Mesut Ozil, Lacazette and Bukayo Saka combined well, giving Martinelli an avenue to get a goal to his name. The Brazilian teenager did not disappoint. 1-0 it was to the Arsenal at halftime.
The Gunners took the closing first half momentum into the next half by constantly opening up the visitors with series of accurate long passes. On one of such occasions, Pepe went down in the box and a VAR check deemed it not fit for a penalty.
Lacazette takes a dangerous freekick after Lucas Torreira was brought down at the edge of the box. That was his last onfield activity before he was taken off to be replaced by Eddie Nketiah, our man who we recently recalled from loan at Leeds United.
When you fail to take your chances in life, you end up with regrets. This was us on this day. Had we sealed off the game with one or two more goals, Sheffield's response wouldn't have meant anything much but...
The monster was in. We lost the lead, courtesy a deflected half volley by Fleck. Redemption was in no way on our path and we ended it same way we did against Crystal Palace last week. The Blades really cut us deep.
Our manager still has some areas to work on. The backline is number one. Yes, we did not see too much of their flaws today but it is one of those departments that have cost us too many points recently.
Converting chances is another drill the players will have to be put through in order to become prolific in front of goal.
A tough match awaits us at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. Chelsea will be our next opponent. We hope Arteta can give us something to smile about after losing to Frank Lampard's side on December 29, 2019.
1 Comments
There is only one talking point in this game and it is the penalty that was not awarded to Arsenal.
ReplyDeleteI don't know whether it's because am Arsenal fan but the number of key decisions that goes against us is unbelievable.
A lot has been said about the referee that officiate this match and I think he and the referee association should be ashamed of themselves.
Had that penalty has been awarded, it would have change the complexity of the match.
It's not about the players not seeing off the game, it's about the referee not discharging it's duties sincerely.
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