Arsenal vs Sheffield United result: Five things we learned as Gunners make it three wins from four

Arsenal scored twice in five minutes in the second half to secure a narrow win over Sheffield United in the Premier League on Sunday.

A quiet first half saw chances be difficult to come by, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s acrobatic attempt the only major shot of note.

It was a similar story after the break for a period, but the Gunners produced the best move of the match just around the hour mark and were rewarded with the opening goal, with Bukayo Saka heading home.

Nicolas Pepe immediately doubled the lead with a slaloming run and finish, but David McGoldrick curled in a great strike late on to give the Blades hope - which was ultimately only enough for a 2-1 defeat.

Here are five things we learned from the game at the Emirates.

Blunt Blades

No goals heading into the game was bad enough; no goals from the first four games of the season would have been disastrous.

Indeed, even with McGoldrick’s late consolation it’s a woeful situation for Sheffield United, and it’s little wonder that Chris Wilder has been vocal about the need for reinforcements.

Rhian Brewster is signed and in from Liverpool, but he’s untested at the highest level, so links with Habib Diallo of Metz are unsurprising.

But the Blades need more from midfield too: runs forward, incisive passing, support from the second line. And they need it quick.

Slow progress is still progress

Arsenal, it’s fair to say, have not sought out a quick fix. They are in rebuild mode, but on the pitch at least they have a clear plan of where they want to go.

Transfer business has not been as straight-forward as they’d like, but Mikel Arteta is still putting clear building blocks in place using what resources are already available to him.

The Gunners won’t be in the title race this year, but there are obvious signs of progression in terms of tactical understanding and, more vitally, mental resilience.

This team, under Unai Emery, gets impatient, forces the issue, loses shape and quite possibly the game in the same type of fixture - now there’s far more understanding of how and when to step up the pressure without losing their own solid base.

Goals from wide

Nicolas Pepe has been a frustrating watch since signing; he clearly has massive technical ability, loads of speed and an eye for goal, but also an absurd lack of consistency, some poor decision-making and at times a lack of fight.

But he does give the Gunners a real goal threat from wide, which is necessary to not always lean on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s forays infield and Alexandre Lacazette.

Bukayo Saka, Willian and even the wing-backs, given time, should all provide more ammunition too.

Nobody will match Aubameyang for a clinical touch and consistency in front of goal, but Pepe is one of those who must offer more.

Tough upcoming run

The Gunners have taken nine points from 12 at the start of 2020/21, losing only to the reigning champions Liverpool.

But the importance of this victory is highlighted by the next run of league games: Man City, Leicester, Man United - all finished higher than Arsenal last season - and then Villa, Leeds, Wolves and Spurs, all of which present tough challenges too, based on form this season.

In between it all there are some less-than-testing Europa League games which will surely see the second string given a chance, with the League Cup quarter-finals ahead, too.

Arsenal’s focus is all on a league improvement though, with a European spot a minimum aim and for the more optimistic-natured folk around the club, even a top-four finish not out of the question.

The international break offers a chance to reassess and reflect, and for Arteta, plan how to ensure the good start doesn’t go somewhat to waste in the key three upcoming fixtures.

Saka style

The scorer of the opening goal, Saka’s display was impressive for the Gunners, even aside from his first strike at the Emirates.

It wasn’t Saka at his scintillating best, as the space wasn’t always there for him to dribble into, to run behind the defence or to provide crosses, but his passing was positive and his movement non-stop, while he rarely neglected his defensive duties.

No Arsenal player had more shots than him, none won more free-kicks and none won more tackles - all indicative of his all-round approach and involvement.