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

#2 How long can Unai Emery resist the temptation of starting Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney?

Tierney is yet to start a Premier League game for Arsenal

One of the summer’s longest transfer sagas involved Kieran Tierney. However, on deadline day, the Gunners got the deal over the line, thereby acquiring the Scottish international to shore up a defence that has often been labelled ‘soft’.

Yet, a hernia operation prevented the full-back from donning the famous Red and White at the start of the season, meaning that he made his debut recently in the Carabao Cup. Thus, the Emirates faithful have been made to wait quite a while to see their summer signing in action.

In his absence, Sead Kolasinac has been preferred but the Bosnian’s propensity to alternate between the marvellous and the miserable has led to countless veils of discontent, especially with Tierney being declared completely fit.

Even against Sheffield, Kolasinac turned in an insipid display which was characterised by wayward final-balls and indecisive defensive moments.

On the other flank, Calum Chambers too was quite woeful offensively whereas he was given a tough time defensively by Enda Stevens, John Fleck and O’Connell.

Worryingly though, both full-backs looked out of their depth whenever in possession, a sight that wouldn’t have pleased Unai Emery, considering his philosophy of building play from the back.

On countless occasions, the aforementioned footballers gave the ball away, in the process, prompting moans and groans from the travelling supporters.

And, though it would be too harsh to single out Chambers and Kolasinac as the primary culprits for an extremely timid team performance, one can’t help but wonder how long the Spanish manager would be able to resist the temptation of throwing Hector Bellerin and Tierney into the deep end.

After all, the pair possesses much more pedigree, both offensively and defensively. And, with their season in danger of traversing an unwanted path, it could just be a matter of time before the duo is introduced.