MATCH REVIEW THREAD: Arsenal 2-1 Sheffield United. Our season will be defined against the teams we are expected to beat. This is why the 3 points were vital today. In this thread, I will provide an in-depth review of today's game. Likes and RTs would mean a lot to me, enjoy

FIRST HALF: This was always going to be a game where we would have the majority of the ball. In possession, we played a 4-3-3 during the build-up phase, with Saka tucking into midfield. As we progressed forward, we altered our shape slightly differently. Usually, MA sets us up in

in a 2-3-5. Through this, we have enough cover to deal with transitions if possession is lost further up the pitch. But we realised that we are against a Sheffield United team that is not capable of transitioning quickly because of the lack of pace in their team. So we utilised a

2-2-6/3-1-6. Elneny dropped into RB/RCB as this allowed Bellerin to advance forward and build an offensive partnership with Willian. Defensively we continued to play with a back five (5-4-1) so that we could deal with the threats that they pose from out wide. We saw Luiz, early

on in the half, fortunately, remain on the pitch. Had Burke off went down from Luiz's shirt pull, we would have seen our number 23 sent off. In terms of our play in the opening 10 minutes, our first opportunity came through Auba's cross, from the left to Eddie, whose poor touch

took the chance away from him. But overall, it was very flat. Sheffield United was disciplined in their back five shape, just like West Ham, and made it difficult for us to create any clear chances. Our build-up play from the back was ok, but as we approached their half, we

failed to move the ball quickly, which allowed their players to maintain their positions and shape. We did get into some good positions at times. One incident that springs to mind was when Saka receiving the ball from Dani, in a pocket of space. Bukayo in this instance failed to

put Eddie through. What was clear was that there just was no cutting edge in our play. Hector was trying to create from the right, whereas Willian failed to impose himself and played far too many safe passes. What was also frustrating for me was the fact that we were giving

away too many needless fouls. Luiz in particular. Set pieces are a serious avenue of chance creation for Sheffield United. Thankfully, we managed to deal with these situations and stifle the visitors from any clear cut opportunities. Huge credit to MA in how he has drilled this

team so effectively, out of possession.

SECOND HALF: For the first 10 minutes after the interval, the visitors managed to gain a little bit more control in the game, without being threatening. It was clear that we needed a change. I was crying for Pepe to come on. The problem we

have had is how left-sided we are in attack. But Bellerin was given license to go forward from the right and impact the game offensively. A partnership between Nico and Bellerin would cause serious problems for the visitors. MA brought on Pepe, changed the shape into a 4-2-3-1 in

possession, with Willian playing in the whole, but given license to drift. Pepe on the right, Saka on the left, and Auba through the middle. The substitution and tactical tweak changed the game. Great build-up play for the opening goal, as described in the diagrams below.

We then see Pepito produce a moment of magic. 19 passes in the build-up, great combinational play between Bellerin and Nico and the latter does the rest. 1/2 touch football and quick release is what Pepe thrives on. The finish is class. There was a lot more pace and fluidity in

our play. A Mcgoldrick goal in the 83rd minute meant that we would have to dig deep to attain the 3 points. And we did just that. Credit to Elneny, Luiz, and Gabriel as these three won vital headers and clearances in the dying embers. Now let's talk about individual performances.

A quiet game for Leno, which is a good thing. I want my GK to not be overworked and only called upon when he is needed. Read the Luiz/Burke situation very well early on. Dealt with a few long shots, no concerning moments when crosses came into the box, and distribution was fine.

Luiz had a very shaky first half. Surprisingly, he wasn't as influential in possession and played a number of loose passes. Lucky to have been not sent off. The second half was much better and he won some vital duels. Gabriel once again was brilliant. Defensively commanding.Dealt

with many situations well and covered space vacated by Luiz, which shows his strong ability in reading the game. His passes could have been crisper, with more pace. But it was yet again another standout performance from the 22-year-old. Tierney was energetic. Once again he was

playing that hybrid LCB/attacking FB role. Because this was a game where we dominated proceedings, he was effectively playing as a LB. Some great crosses in the first half, but the lack of aerial presence up front meant that there was no one to work Ramsdale from his service

Defensively he was ok although he shouldn't have let McGoldrick cut inside. Hector was fantastic and my MOTM. In the first half, he was one of two who was trying to create chances. Once Pepe came on in the second half, we saw a different animal. Two assists and a strong defensive

performance. Ceballos was quality as well and was trying to progress the play from deep. I do think that he does need to take fewer touches at times before releasing the ball and be a bit more decisive. Pepe was in great spaces, between the lines, but Dani failed to play those

simple forward passes to him. Elneny was solid. Was tasked to sit deep on the right, which allowed Hector to advance forward. Simple, comfortable in possession, played a key role in our opening goal and a good overall display. Saka, along with Hector in the first half was also

trying to make things happen. Always worked hard, in and out of possession, and took his goal well. Willian was poor in the first 45. Too safe drifted infield but failed to impose himself. Once Pepe came his levels of performance increased. Auba was quiet. MA has utilised him

as an inside forward from the left. But today I felt he played too wide before he was moved centrally. Brilliant link-up play for the goal though. Eddie struggled. Wasnt effective when he dropped deep and his influence in the game was stifled by their CBs.

Super Nicolas Pepe! He changed the game. A lack of ideas was clear in our play before his introduction. People have been quick to judge Pepe in games where he has been left isolated, with no right side partnerships developing. We have been very left-sided when we attack. But,

Today, we utilised both flanks. Hector was playing as an overlapping RB and you saw how dangerous Pepe was. Salah has TAA, Mane has Roberston, e.c.t. Everyone needs players to complement their attributes and Hector did just that for Nico. Vital three points!