Arsenal travelled to Bramall Lane on Monday night to play Sheffield United in a match where they were the bookies favourites to win. However, whenever Arsenal travel to play away matches in the Premier League there is always the feeling they could come out second best and that's exactly what happened in this game.
The Gunners struggled to cope with Sheffield United’s tactics and energy in the first half but at least they managed to prevent them from creating any good goal scoring opportunities. In fact, it was Arsenal who created the best chance of the first half from open play but Pepe could not find the finishing touch as the ball flashed across the 6 yard box following a quick break.
Then, in the 30th minute Arsenal conceded a goal which came from a corner. The defence failed to win the first header and the ball dropped invitingly to Lys Mousset, who had the simple task of putting the ball in to the net from a few yards out .
Despite showing some signs of improvement in the second half, Arsenal failed to create any clear cut opportunities to score the equalising goal and went on to lose the game 1-0. Although the bookies had Arsenal down as being the favourites, many neutrals and even their own fans knew this was going to be a game which Arsenal could easily lose and that's how it turned out.
The defeat means Arsenal have won only one of their 4 away Premier League games this season and that was their first away match of the campaign at Newcastle United. Trends show Arsenal have won only 4 of their last 17 away games in the Premier League and that is not good enough for a team who are expected to challenge for the top four.
In addition, Arsenal have lost 4 of their last 7 Premier League away games against newly-promoted sides and that is simply not good enough. Arsenal have now failed to win any of their last 4 away Premier League matches and judging by the evidence from the match against Sheffield United on Monday, that record is unlikely to improve in the near future.
Unai Emery now has a problem to solve. It has become clear that teams who are willing to challenge Arsenal and put them under pressure, especially from corners and free kicks, have a great chance of beating them. This was evident in the draw at Watford and in the defeat against Sheffield United.
Following the draw at Watford, Granit Xhaka claimed some of his team-mates were hiding in the second half. “We were too scared,” he said. “No one wanted the ball.”
This is a comment coming from player at a club which is regarded to be one of the best in the Premier League. Arsenal need to win their next two Premier League games, both of which are at home or the pressure will increase on Emery and his players.