Arsenal dropped out of the top four after Monday’s defeat at the hands of Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Lys Mousset’s first-half goal from a corner gave the Blades all three points and Arsenal are now two points behind Chelsea and Leicester City who are fourth and third in the table respectively. Xhaka was evidently disappointed with the result and the performance, claiming that it is too easy to lose a game from a set-piece.
“Of course it’s frustrating because it’s so easy. It’s too easy if you lose the game because of a corner or free-kick,” Xhaka said.
“We have to improve things. We had good things today as well. We were compact in defence. They didn’t have a lot of chances. But if you want to be in the top four you have to beat Sheffield.
“I think we did a lot of good things. I think Sheffield had one chance, it was the goal. That’s it.”
Arsenal did try to be a lot more adventurous than in previous games but lacked the urgency and the movement upfront to cause any serious damage. Dropping both Mesut Ozil and Dani Ceballos removed all the creativity from the side and the likes of Aubameyang and Saka barely had any chances to trouble the Blades.
With Arsenal’s next three games in the league coming up against Crystal Palace, Wolves and Leicester City, Unai Emery’s side could either reclaim a spot in the top four or drop outside the top six very easily.
Just three shots on target against a newly promoted side is simply not good enough irrespective of how solid they have been this season and if Emery fails to address his side’s flaws in the coming weeks, he might as well give up on making the top four.
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