Game 23, draw number 11. The most in the league and only Wolves can also say they've reached double figures the number of draws so far this season. The difference is Wolves have 2 extra wins in their pocket and so Arsenal linger smack bang in the middle of the league, failing to close the gap on the european spots when the opportunity presented itself once again. Can you tell I'm frustrated yet?
Frustration aside, there has of course been improvements, and rather impressively so considering the squad limitations Arteta is working with. The changes made were mostly to be expected. Auba's suspension meant Martinelli was always likely to be the most natural person to slot in, and Saka has already deputised at left back on a number of occasions so far. The one surprise was Mustafi's restoration to the starting 11 with Sokratis falling ill, but once you think about it then you can see the logic given Holding's troubles returning from injury.
The first half didn't start too wonderfully from Arsenal's perspective, especially as Mustafi was almost up to his old tricks whilst Sheffield Utd were dominating the early stages. Arsenal were able to weather the early storm however and they were able to gain a foothold in the game. Pepe began to look dangerous, setting Martinelli up with two good opportunities and Arsenal were seeing more and more of the ball.
Arsenal's opener then came right at the end of the half. Ozil found himself in the left half space and fed Laca who had dropped deep, his neat flick around the corner found Saka who had time to pick a cross. The cross took a deflection that looped the ball over Henderson who was guarding his near post, and found Martinelli 2 yards dead centre of the goal for a tap in. After a quick VAR check, the initially muted celebrations could continue into half time as we walked into the dressing rooms a goal to the good.
Besides the world's most blatant penalty, where stonewall doesn't even begin to cover it (still not frustrated I promise...), there was rather little to discuss from the second half with no real meaningful chances to note, I mean besides the 5th time we've conceded via a deflection, which for perspective is almost 16% of our total goals conceded in the league (Ok maybe I am a *little* frustrated).
For the equaliser, Sheffield Utd moved the ball to their right hand side and floated a cross into the box. AMN flicked the header on to try and deal with the danger but wasn't able to get enough power on it. The ball fell to Fleck and as AMN went to try and meet him, Fleck hit his effort into the ground and off AMN to, like last weekend, loop over Leno's despairing dive and into the 'top bins'.
Ratings:
Leno - 6
Honestly had terribly little to do, and defelcted efforts are the absolute worst to try and deal with as a goalkeeper given they're nearly impossible to read, react to, and then reach.
AMN - 7
Another solid performance from the youngster. Seems to be coming into his own and becoming Mr Dependable. Could argue he was at fault for the goal and could have met Fleck quicker, but it feels like a catch 22 situation as if the ball hits his hand then we'd all be saying the opposite.
Mustafi - 6
A very difficult performance to rate. Overall he was solid and ultimately did his job without having to be brilliant, but he still managed to nearly cost us twice at the beginning and end of the games with big errors. Trying to sheppard out a very slow moving ball only to get outmuscled with ease, and then plays a horrible pass not long after the equaliser to almost gift them victory.
Luiz - 6
Like Mustafi, Luiz put in a similarly solid performance but just without the hairy moments. Seems to be thriving under Arteta.
Saka - 7
A really solid performance from the youngster in a defensive capacity, it's a shame though that for a winger he's not provided too much threat offensively. I know he got the assist, and this might be a little over critical, but his cross found Martinelli via a deflection. He does provide a good out ball however and works incredibly hard for the team.
Torreira - 7
Another superb display, like AMN he's almost proving to be Arteta's 'Mr Reliable'. He cleaned up really well as Sheffield Utd pushed for an equaliser and then winner, making several interceptions and tackles to break up attacks. Used the ball sensibly as well and rarely lost possession.
Xhaka - 6
Nothing spectacular but it was a solid performance all the same. Honestly, nothing really much to write about but he did his job and there's not much more we can ask from him.
Pepe - 7.5 (MOTM)
Provided our biggest threat going forward. Made a good run and then cross to set up Martinelli, then a dizzying run to set him up once again. Really should have had a penalty and referee's seem to be doing awfully little to provide a young man in his first season any protection. All the same it doesn't seem to faze him and he keeps plugging away and providing a constant threat.
Ozil - 5
I can't say I was impressed with Ozil in this game. Whilst he did keep hold of the ball and not give it away, I felt he could have been a lot more adventurous and try to make things happen which is the very thing you'd expect him to be in the line up for. Didn't appear as though he wanted the ball either which is peculiar for him.
Martinelli - 6
Aside from the goal, Martinelli unfortunately struggled to make his mark on the game and wasn't at his best. Snatched at a couple of opportunities early on but credit where it's due, he didn't let it get to him and he continued to get into dangerous areas and look for another opportunity and his endeavours were rewarded.
Lacazette - 6
Another difficult performance to rate. He was talked up pre-game by Arteta as the one to step up and get goals for the team and he failed to do that, not even taking a shot on goal today as far as memory serves me. But, he did some things well that helped the team at the same time and you sensed we missed that a little bit when he came off for Eddie. He's increasingly becoming a conundrum that Arteta is going to need to solve quickly.
Nketiah - 6
Provided a different sort of threat and a new energy to the forward line, immediately looking to play on the last shoulder of the defender and get in behind Sheffield Utd's back 3. Unfortunately it didn't come to much effect but there was a new sense of danger, even if we did lose a bit of control in the final third.
Frustration aside, there has of course been improvements, and rather impressively so considering the squad limitations Arteta is working with. The changes made were mostly to be expected. Auba's suspension meant Martinelli was always likely to be the most natural person to slot in, and Saka has already deputised at left back on a number of occasions so far. The one surprise was Mustafi's restoration to the starting 11 with Sokratis falling ill, but once you think about it then you can see the logic given Holding's troubles returning from injury.
The first half didn't start too wonderfully from Arsenal's perspective, especially as Mustafi was almost up to his old tricks whilst Sheffield Utd were dominating the early stages. Arsenal were able to weather the early storm however and they were able to gain a foothold in the game. Pepe began to look dangerous, setting Martinelli up with two good opportunities and Arsenal were seeing more and more of the ball.
Arsenal's opener then came right at the end of the half. Ozil found himself in the left half space and fed Laca who had dropped deep, his neat flick around the corner found Saka who had time to pick a cross. The cross took a deflection that looped the ball over Henderson who was guarding his near post, and found Martinelli 2 yards dead centre of the goal for a tap in. After a quick VAR check, the initially muted celebrations could continue into half time as we walked into the dressing rooms a goal to the good.
Besides the world's most blatant penalty, where stonewall doesn't even begin to cover it (still not frustrated I promise...), there was rather little to discuss from the second half with no real meaningful chances to note, I mean besides the 5th time we've conceded via a deflection, which for perspective is almost 16% of our total goals conceded in the league (Ok maybe I am a *little* frustrated).
For the equaliser, Sheffield Utd moved the ball to their right hand side and floated a cross into the box. AMN flicked the header on to try and deal with the danger but wasn't able to get enough power on it. The ball fell to Fleck and as AMN went to try and meet him, Fleck hit his effort into the ground and off AMN to, like last weekend, loop over Leno's despairing dive and into the 'top bins'.
Ratings:
Leno - 6
Honestly had terribly little to do, and defelcted efforts are the absolute worst to try and deal with as a goalkeeper given they're nearly impossible to read, react to, and then reach.
AMN - 7
Another solid performance from the youngster. Seems to be coming into his own and becoming Mr Dependable. Could argue he was at fault for the goal and could have met Fleck quicker, but it feels like a catch 22 situation as if the ball hits his hand then we'd all be saying the opposite.
Mustafi - 6
A very difficult performance to rate. Overall he was solid and ultimately did his job without having to be brilliant, but he still managed to nearly cost us twice at the beginning and end of the games with big errors. Trying to sheppard out a very slow moving ball only to get outmuscled with ease, and then plays a horrible pass not long after the equaliser to almost gift them victory.
Luiz - 6
Like Mustafi, Luiz put in a similarly solid performance but just without the hairy moments. Seems to be thriving under Arteta.
Saka - 7
A really solid performance from the youngster in a defensive capacity, it's a shame though that for a winger he's not provided too much threat offensively. I know he got the assist, and this might be a little over critical, but his cross found Martinelli via a deflection. He does provide a good out ball however and works incredibly hard for the team.
Torreira - 7
Another superb display, like AMN he's almost proving to be Arteta's 'Mr Reliable'. He cleaned up really well as Sheffield Utd pushed for an equaliser and then winner, making several interceptions and tackles to break up attacks. Used the ball sensibly as well and rarely lost possession.
Xhaka - 6
Nothing spectacular but it was a solid performance all the same. Honestly, nothing really much to write about but he did his job and there's not much more we can ask from him.
Pepe - 7.5 (MOTM)
Provided our biggest threat going forward. Made a good run and then cross to set up Martinelli, then a dizzying run to set him up once again. Really should have had a penalty and referee's seem to be doing awfully little to provide a young man in his first season any protection. All the same it doesn't seem to faze him and he keeps plugging away and providing a constant threat.
Ozil - 5
I can't say I was impressed with Ozil in this game. Whilst he did keep hold of the ball and not give it away, I felt he could have been a lot more adventurous and try to make things happen which is the very thing you'd expect him to be in the line up for. Didn't appear as though he wanted the ball either which is peculiar for him.
Martinelli - 6
Aside from the goal, Martinelli unfortunately struggled to make his mark on the game and wasn't at his best. Snatched at a couple of opportunities early on but credit where it's due, he didn't let it get to him and he continued to get into dangerous areas and look for another opportunity and his endeavours were rewarded.
Lacazette - 6
Another difficult performance to rate. He was talked up pre-game by Arteta as the one to step up and get goals for the team and he failed to do that, not even taking a shot on goal today as far as memory serves me. But, he did some things well that helped the team at the same time and you sensed we missed that a little bit when he came off for Eddie. He's increasingly becoming a conundrum that Arteta is going to need to solve quickly.
Nketiah - 6
Provided a different sort of threat and a new energy to the forward line, immediately looking to play on the last shoulder of the defender and get in behind Sheffield Utd's back 3. Unfortunately it didn't come to much effect but there was a new sense of danger, even if we did lose a bit of control in the final third.
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