Arsenal vs Sheffield United

v.
EPL Week 23 - Saturday 18th January 2020 - Emirates Stadium​

Please keep all discussion related to the match within this thread.

Matchday Stats/Player Ratings - https://www.s24su.com/forum/index.php?match-day/match/arsenal-vs-sheffield-united.487/

Officials:

Referee: Mike Dean
Assistant Referee: Ian Hussin
Assistant Referee: Dan Robathan
Fourth Official: Lee Mason
Video Assistant Referee: Martin Atkinson
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Sian Massey-Ellis

Coverage:

Follow via S24SU Twitter: https://twitter.com/s24su

Live TV Coverage:



Away Fans Guide:

 

[Cappy]

Dominated that first half and showed grit in the second. Deserved something out of the game so am OK with the result. Proper proud tonight. Well done our blades. We are most definitely forged in steel!

 

[ucandomagic]

Hard working performance.
Contrary to some earlier comments I think Robinson did ok when he came on, set up the goal, did a lot of chasing.

I think Billy hasn’t had much of a chance this season, but today showed why. Billy, you’re an absolute hero, but today has changed my mind about his role in the PL.
When he came on and took the captains armband I thought why would you ever want to leave? Captaining your boyhood club at the Emirates!
But that emotional moment was as good as it got. He barely touched the ball. Seriously I think he touched the ball 3 or 4 times in 35 minutes, and one of those was a tackle on the halfway line.
He didn’t do any closing down, and was completely ineffective at receiving the ball on the edge of the box. Mousset and McBurnie look miles ahead.
We don’t create the same number of chances as in the Championship, and that loose ball in the box that he thrives on is much more rare.

For the first time today, I think he’d be better off moving on. Thanks for everything Billy. Go and bang in another few dozen in the Championship.

Are you Robinson in disguise? First opportunity pulls out of a 50 - 50. Second involvement gives away a stupid free kick on the edge of the box right in the centre. Luckily for us Laca took it - as Pepe is lethal from there. Third touch pathetically lost possession because he’s scared of contact. His pass for the goal was good - but you just can’t be in our side if you’re afraid of physical contact. You say he did a lot of chasing - but all he chased was shadows.

Meanwhile criticism of Sharp is nonsense. Very few opportunities, but the only time he has to hold the ball he protects it perfectly, draws a foul and gets us up the field.

Besic has to start for Lunny, who seems to have lost his drive - which was his whole game. Moose seems to have lost his confidence - which makes him slower to set off and as a result a yard slower.

Haven’t watched the McB late chance that was blocked again, but just looked like a really good block at first viewing.

33 and rising - Magic Days

 

[robbiez666]

Are you Robinson in disguise? First opportunity pulls out of a 50 - 50. Second involvement gives away a stupid free kick on the edge of the box right in the centre. Luckily for us Laca took it - as Pepe is lethal from there. Third touch pathetically lost possession because he’s scared of contact. His pass for the goal was good - but you just can’t be in our side if you’re afraid of physical contact. You say he did a lot of chasing - but all he chased was shadows.

Meanwhile criticism of Sharp is nonsense. Very few opportunities, but the only time he has to hold the ball he protects it perfectly, draws a foul and gets us up the field.

Besic has to start for Lunny, who seems to have lost his drive - which was his whole game. Moose seems to have lost his confidence - which makes him slower to set off and as a result a yard slower.

Haven’t watched the McB late chance that was blocked again, but just looked like a really good block at first viewing.

33 and rising - Magic Days

I can never decide whether Robinson is lazy or scared. He pulls out of tackles all the time and his closing down continues to be so half-arsed it's untrue.

 

[robbiez666]

Hard working performance.
Contrary to some earlier comments I think Robinson did ok when he came on, set up the goal, did a lot of chasing.

I think Billy hasn’t had much of a chance this season, but today showed why. Billy, you’re an absolute hero, but today has changed my mind about his role in the PL.
When he came on and took the captains armband I thought why would you ever want to leave? Captaining your boyhood club at the Emirates!
But that emotional moment was as good as it got. He barely touched the ball. Seriously I think he touched the ball 3 or 4 times in 35 minutes, and one of those was a tackle on the halfway line.
He didn’t do any closing down, and was completely ineffective at receiving the ball on the edge of the box. Mousset and McBurnie look miles ahead.
We don’t create the same number of chances as in the Championship, and that loose ball in the box that he thrives on is much more rare.

For the first time today, I think he’d be better off moving on. Thanks for everything Billy. Go and bang in another few dozen in the Championship.

What? Pretty sure he headed on for our goal. He was the one making the run for the Norwood cross and another through ball which got us two corners and two chances. If we lob balls up later on in games it's hardly his forte, is it?

 

[Bladeaway]

Are you Robinson in disguise?

Haha I wish I had his salary!

Fair enough in the first few minutes he came on he looked pretty shaky, lots of effort and not much product, but he settled into it. Won the ball a couple of times high up the pitch.
I’d rather have him on than Sharp.

 

[Bladeaway]

Haha I wish I had his salary!

Fair enough in the first few minutes he came on he looked pretty shaky, lots of effort and not much product, but he settled into it. Won the ball a couple of times high up the pitch.
I’d rather have him on than Sharp.

As for the flick on for the goal, not sure if it comes off sharp or the defender, but sharps got to be there for that to happen. I just thought he looked laboured, and compared to the involvement of Mousset (whom he replaced), he was barely in it.

 

[Sam64]

Hard working performance.
Contrary to some earlier comments I think Robinson did ok when he came on, set up the goal, did a lot of chasing.

I think Billy hasn’t had much of a chance this season, but today showed why. Billy, you’re an absolute hero, but today has changed my mind about his role in the PL.
When he came on and took the captains armband I thought why would you ever want to leave? Captaining your boyhood club at the Emirates!
But that emotional moment was as good as it got. He barely touched the ball. Seriously I think he touched the ball 3 or 4 times in 35 minutes, and one of those was a tackle on the halfway line.
He didn’t do any closing down, and was completely ineffective at receiving the ball on the edge of the box. Mousset and McBurnie look miles ahead.
We don’t create the same number of chances as in the Championship, and that loose ball in the box that he thrives on is much more rare.

For the first time today, I think he’d be better off moving on. Thanks for everything Billy. Go and bang in another few dozen in the Championship.

can't lie, thought that was one of his best games of the season

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Key moment in the 2nd half for me was the moment Wilder swapped McBurnie with Robinson to allow McBurnie to be the Duffy role behind the front 2. It hadn’t worked for Robinson till then in that role, and nearly immediately McBurnie won the ball back. I think it was the next move where we then scored, with Robinson of course getting the assist. That short-lived was immediately ditched for what felt like the first use of 4-4-2 by Wilder for an absolute age.

Was right in line behind Fleck in the home end for the finish. Beautiful to watch.

 

[nickwr37]

As for the flick on for the goal, not sure if it comes off sharp or the defender, but sharps got to be there for that to happen. I just thought he looked laboured, and compared to the involvement of Mousset (whom he replaced), he was barely in it.

Flick from Sharp. Assist.

 

[Seth Rollins]

I can never decide whether Robinson is lazy or scared. He pulls out of tackles all the time and his closing down continues to be so half-arsed it's untrue.

He’s just not good enough.

 

[shrubbery]

Just heard Wilder on the wireless and he was seriously not happy with the performance. Gave the players a right roasting. Think he is being very harsh as I thought we were excellent for 70 mins or so and deserved at least a draw. It was Arsenal away for Christ's sake.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Just heard Wilder on the wireless and he was seriously not happy with the performance. Gave the players a right roasting. Think he is being very harsh as I thought we were excellent for 70 mins or so and deserved at least a draw. It was Arsenal away for Christ's sake.

We competed well first half but didn’t have one attempt on target. We were poor second half for about 30 minutes. I’m delighted with a point but Wilder is absolutely right to bollock them. Forget “it was Arsenal for Christ’s sake” and start thinking “we are Sheffield United for Christ’s sake”. We are better than them and should have beat them. That’s reality.

You haven’t come to terms yet with who we are and where we are. Wilder has. That’s the difference.

 

[bromtom]

Just heard Wilder on the wireless and he was seriously not happy with the performance. Gave the players a right roasting. Think he is being very harsh as I thought we were excellent for 70 mins or so and deserved at least a draw. It was Arsenal away for Christ's sake.

We were alright for about 40 minutes of that, Wilder said 20 which is a bit harsh perhaps, but we had a spell where we were pretty awful in the second half and looked like all the players had just been Quantum Leaped into and didn't know what was going off, so fair enough he gets into them a bit. For me it's a culmination of a few poor performances this latest chewing, thankfully we've come out with 4 points out of the last 4 which is good considering we've had Liverpool, City and Arsenal away, but the performances in the last two before today in particular have left something to be desired.

Think he'll drop a couple next game just to remind them they need to keep up or sit out.

 

[SB_90]

great trip to emirates. im happy with draw & it was correct result we matched them for majority of that game but then arsenal were poor & wouldve been disappointing to not get the deserving equaliser. we were toothless going forward in 1st half as i think we got sucked into arsenals slow ponderous possession game playing 10 sideways passes before we got out of our half if arsenal struggled with expensive quality there supposed to have we are going to struggle.

thank Goodness that changed at HT. as if we'd went fwd in 1st like we did the 2nd we snatched 3pts. still not at best but we always knew this 6 game run was going to struggle so im still happy not at our best but averaging a point a game

 

[BladeByChoice]

Trying not to be too negative, and looking for the positives, as always.

Played shite against Liverpool and lost.

Played shite against Arsenal and drew.

We’re getting better at playing shite.

 

[Numpty's Dusty Ruts.]

I'm very happy to have taken 4 points off Arsenal, when not too long ago (football fans have short memories), we'd have struggled to take 4 points off Accrington!

 

[Sheffsteel]

We were excellent the first 20 minutes taking the game to Arsenal.....then they gradually got into the game and started to dominate the late stages of the 1st half.

2nd half we had no choice but to attack more so the game became stretched. Arsenal had a few 2 on 2 or 3 on 3 breakaways and could have made it 2-0 if they had better decision making or a better final ball.

We came on strong in the last 10 minutes and could have actually won....we had chances after we equalised.

But overall a draw was a fair result.

My summary:
Think we were excellent out of possession and we worked hard (as usual) BUT in possession we were under par and at times poor.
We don’t seem the same without McGoldrick who helps us have good spells of possession and links midfield to attack really well making us look quality.

 

[trevorhockey]

Here here

 

[Rojoyblanco]

Just heard Wilder on the wireless and he was seriously not happy with the performance. Gave the players a right roasting. Think he is being very harsh as I thought we were excellent for 70 mins or so and deserved at least a draw. It was Arsenal away for Christ's sake.

I’ve come to the conclusion that whilst I don’t always understand why Chris makes certain comments after a game, what he says gets a reaction from the players. He knows what makes them tick and usually gets a string of good results afterwards.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

We were alright for about 40 minutes of that, Wilder said 20 which is a bit harsh perhaps, but we had a spell where we were pretty awful in the second half and looked like all the players had just been Quantum Leaped into and didn't know what was going off, so fair enough he gets into them a bit. For me it's a culmination of a few poor performances this latest chewing, thankfully we've come out with 4 points out of the last 4 which is good considering we've had Liverpool, City and Arsenal away, but the performances in the last two before today in particular have left something to be desired.

Think he'll drop a couple next game just to remind them they need to keep up or sit out.

Stream froze on 35 mins, I thought we were OK.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Thought we started excellently, on the front foot. Mousset had by far our best chance of the game in the first 10 minutes, a free header over the bar from in front of goal. From about 15 mins or so on, possibly sparked by a missed break from Arsenal, they steadily got a grip of the game. While the goal came out of the blue, they had been getting better.

2nd half, we started brightly but that seemed to fizzle our fairly quickly. Mousset started to fade, Sharp came on, we didn’t get noticeably better. Robinson came on for Lundstram, with us moving to the Duffy formation, Robinson looked a bit lost. Besic came on, we went to 4-3-1-2, and we started to get a bit more of it. Robinson & McBurnie swapped, and we pressed a bit better, till eventually getting the equaliser. I haven’t seen a replay, but think it was Besic that fed Robinson, whose cross eventually ended up at Fleck’s feet to arrow in from an unlikely angle. Brilliant finish. We immediately switch to 4-4-2 with Besic & Robinson wingers to tighten it up and almost instantly get gifted a break that we didn’t capitalise on. Besic’s stung the keeper’s hands late on – I don’t think it would have been deserved. Great to get a point though.

Quick ratings:
Henderson 7/10 – no real saves to make
Baldock 6/10 – often at full stretch today, oddly got better when we switched to 4 at the back
Stevens 6/10 – think he’s been a bit below par the last 3 or 4 games tbh
Basham 7/10 – was subbed to change the shape but thought he was solid
Egan 7.5/10 – after last week’s bad one, back to his better self
O’Connell 7/10 – didn’t get forward quite as much as usual but defensively sound
Norwood 6.5/10 – really mixed bag. Caused problems for himself with an early booking. His mid to long passing was a little off today
Lundstram 6/10 – first half especially guilty of being caught on the ball or giving it away cheaply.
Fleck 8/10 – our best player in both halves. Excellent finish.
Mousset 6/10 – feel it was his poorest start for some time. Really messed up both attempts in the first half and didn’t really threaten
McBurnie 6.5/10 – won a lot in the air all game, but was another guilty of wasting opportunities in the build-up. He wasn’t quite as effective in the McGoldrick role this time compared to 2nd half last week.

 

[The Hobott]

Thought we deserved a point - some good performances - Fleck the stand out, Basham et al great as ever. Lundstram and Mousset stank the place out a bit - but not for want of effort - so hope they bounce back soon.

Oh and Arsenal are mid table side

Edit: Arsenal comment

 

[Camden Blade]

Thought we started excellently, on the front foot. Mousset had by far our best chance of the game in the first 10 minutes, a free header over the bar from in front of goal. From about 15 mins or so on, possibly sparked by a missed break from Arsenal, they steadily got a grip of the game. While the goal came out of the blue, they had been getting better.

2nd half, we started brightly but that seemed to fizzle our fairly quickly. Mousset started to fade, Sharp came on, we didn’t get noticeably better. Robinson came on for Lundstram, with us moving to the Duffy formation, Robinson looked a bit lost. Besic came on, we went to 4-3-1-2, and we started to get a bit more of it. Robinson & McBurnie swapped, and we pressed a bit better, till eventually getting the equaliser. I haven’t seen a replay, but think it was Besic that fed Robinson, whose cross eventually ended up at Fleck’s feet to arrow in from an unlikely angle. Brilliant finish. We immediately switch to 4-4-2 with Besic & Robinson wingers to tighten it up and almost instantly get gifted a break that we didn’t capitalise on. Besic’s stung the keeper’s hands late on – I don’t think it would have been deserved. Great to get a point though.

Quick ratings:
Henderson 7/10 – no real saves to make
Baldock 6/10 – often at full stretch today, oddly got better when we switched to 4 at the back
Stevens 6/10 – think he’s been a bit below par the last 3 or 4 games tbh
Basham 7/10 – was subbed to change the shape but thought he was solid
Egan 7.5/10 – after last week’s bad one, back to his better self
O’Connell 7/10 – didn’t get forward quite as much as usual but defensively sound
Norwood 6.5/10 – really mixed bag. Caused problems for himself with an early booking. His mid to long passing was a little off today
Lundstram 6/10 – first half especially guilty of being caught on the ball or giving it away cheaply.
Fleck 8/10 – our best player in both halves. Excellent finish.
Mousset 6/10 – feel it was his poorest start for some time. Really messed up both attempts in the first half and didn’t really threaten
McBurnie 6.5/10 – won a lot in the air all game, but was another guilty of wasting opportunities in the build-up. He wasn’t quite as effective in the McGoldrick role this time compared to 2nd half last week.

View attachment 68864

Thought we missed McGoldrick. But he looked tired in his last couple of outings. Mousset was a bit off the pace. Harsh on Enda. Full of running and covering. He gave the ball away once but overall we were brilliant defensively I thought. Bossed the midfield at times. Lacked a bit of spark up front. Pepe was dangerous for Arsenal but we showed more desire. Luiz always looks like his going to give the ball away in defence but doesn't. I was in the opposite stand, West Side Upper row 24. The atmosphere was dead from the Arsenal fans in the first half. Picked up a bit in the second. They just sang 'Come on Arsenal' and 'Arsenal, Arsenal'. That was it. Hard not to jump up for the equaliser. Same at Spurs. Full value for the draw. Was thinking glad I'm not a Gooner and I live nearby.

 

[shrubbery]

We competed well first half but didn’t have one attempt on target. We were poor second half for about 30 minutes. I’m delighted with a point but Wilder is absolutely right to bollock them. Forget “it was Arsenal for Christ’s sake” and start thinking “we are Sheffield United for Christ’s sake”. We are better than them and should have beat them. That’s reality.

You haven’t come to terms yet with who we are and where we are. Wilder has. That’s the difference.

Yes, we are a bigger team than Arsenal and should expect to beat them at their place. I obviously have the problem with reality.

 

[Eggman1889]

My lad has been to the following away games -
Fleetwood 2-2 D
Forest 2-1 L
Derby 2-1 L
Chelsea 2-2 D
Wolves 1-1 D
Liverpool 2-0 L

Not one single win (although he claims wins over Stocksbridge Park Steels and Hallam count), he has a ticket for Arsenal and I think he might break his duck.

Ok, so I also missed Preston away that we lost 2-1. He now has another 1-1 draw to his name. Think he can have two more attempts to get a win!

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

Do you remember the reception Andy Linighan got when he played at the Lane for (I think) Palace?

QPR I think

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Yes, we are a bigger team than Arsenal and should expect to beat them at their place. I obviously have the problem with reality.

I didn't say that. But defend it however you like. On current form and based on all games played this season, we are a "better team" than Arsenal. That is fact. I didn't say we are a bigger club, I didn't say we have better players.

They also had 3 or 4 key players out, including their leading scorer. Wilder said afterwards that he felt this was a good opportunity to go and get a win. That's exactly what I thought.

You don't think like that - fair enough. I do. I've learned in life that if you continue to think of yourself as inferior, based on what happened in the past, then you don't get very far in the future. The way forward is to think you are at least as good and as deserving as others. When you start to think like that, good things start to happen.

Wilder took the squad to Arsenal yesterday believing that we should get a win. I really like that. I'm glad you weren't in charge telling the players, "We are only lickle old Sheffield United and they are the mighty Arsenal". It wouldn't have been worth getting on the team bus.

 

[shrubbery]

I didn't say that. But defend it however you like. On current form and based on all games played this season, we are a "better team" than Arsenal. That is fact. I didn't say we are a bigger club, I didn't say we have better players.

They also had 3 or 4 key players out, including their leading scorer. Wilder said afterwards that he felt this was a good opportunity to go and get a win. That's exactly what I thought.

You don't think like that - fair enough. I do. I've learned in life that if you continue to think of yourself as inferior, based on what happened in the past, then you don't get very far in the future. The way forward is to think you are at least as good and as deserving as others. When you start to think like that, good things start to happen.

Wilder took the squad to Arsenal yesterday believing that we should get a win. I really like that. I'm glad you weren't in charge telling the players, "We are only lickle old Sheffield United and they are the mighty Arsenal". It wouldn't have been worth getting on the team bus.

It is not a case of thinking of ourselves as inferior and setting out with a negative mental attitude before the game - I never said that and you have attempted to put those words in my mouth to suit your argument.

It is the case of recognising that a game away to Arsenal is not something that we should be expecting to win just because they have a few players out injured and haven’t been particularly consistent of late. It is about recognising what I thought was a pretty strong performance and a decent point away from home against a top side.

I think that Chris probably thinks this internally but chose to roast the players publicly as he knows how to get the best out of them for the next game which is against the reigning champions at home on Tuesday.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

It is not a case of thinking of ourselves as inferior and setting out with a negative mental attitude before the game - I never said that and you have attempted to put those words in my mouth to suit your argument.

It is the case of recognising that a game away to Arsenal is not something that we should be expecting to win just because they have a few players out injured and haven’t been particularly consistent of late. It is about recognising what I thought was a pretty strong performance and a decent point away from home against a top side.

I think that Chris probably thinks this internally but chose to roast the players publicly as he knows how to get the best out of them for the next game which is against the reigning champions at home on Tuesday.

Fair enough. I just think that based on how we’ve performed against every team this season we should be confident of getting something, which we did. I do think that you can give teams too much respect and your comments about “they are Arsenal for Christ’s sake! ” rubs me up a bit because we shouldn’t be thinking like that imo. They are a good team with a fantastic history but right now we are there above them and playing well. We need everyone to be thinking “we are Sheffield United!” competing tooth by jowl with the best teams in the country and playing some fantastic innovative football.

It’s not unreasonable that opposition fans should be thinking “they are Sheffield United for Christ’s sake!”.

 

[Grappler]

Not sure if this has been posted or not, apologies if so.

Extended highlights.