Sheffield United 1-0 Arsenal: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis | Premier League 2019/20

#3 The Blades display extraordinary defensive steel

Sheffield United were superb at the back

At the start of the 2019-20 season, plenty of fans and pundits had predicted Sheffield United to undergo an enormous amount of trials and tribulations, with their offensive quality a particular concern.

However, most of those critiques seemed to agree that the Blades boasted exemplary defensive organisation, meaning that they were earmarked to concede fewer goals than their fellow promoted sides. And, against Arsenal, Sheffield reinforced that belief courtesy an immense defensive display.

The hosts dealt with everything the visitors threw at them and kept the Gunners’ much-vaunted attack at an arm’s length throughout. The Blades’ centre-backs were colossal at the back as none of them allowed Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to leave their imprint on the match.

More encouragingly, they shifted between systems seamlessly between the game, an aspect that was quite refreshing considering many had accused Sheffield of lacking tactical acumen.

Additionally, each of the defenders stuck to their tasks manfully and were rarely dragged out of position, with their forwards also tracking back diligently.

A couple of months ago, there were numerous questions being asked of Sheffield’s ability to survive the rigours of the Premier League and still emerge from the rubble partly unscathed come May 2020.

Yet, if they keep churning out such solid displays at the back, one reckons that they might just live to tell the top-flight tale next term.