The Sky Sports pundit and Arsenal legend was not impressed with the Gunners.
Sky Sports pundit and Arsenal legend Paul Merson has issued a scathing assessment of the Gunners following their humbling defeat to Premier League newcomers Sheffield United, claiming it’s “normal” now for them to be “just lacklustre” (Sky Sports News).
Lys Mousset claimed the decisive goal against Arsenal in the first half, turning in Jack O’Connell’s knockdown from close range, with Unai Emery’s side unable to muster up a response as they remained fifth in the table following their second defeat of the league campaign.
Arsenal were third after beating Bournemouth 1-0 at the Emirates before the international break, extending their home record so far this season to four wins and one draw, but they have won just four of their last 17 games away from home, with just one win on the road this term, at Newcastle.
For United, meanwhile, it was their biggest result since their return to the Premier League as they moved up to ninth, four points clear of the relegation zone.
“It was normal, wasn’t it? I don’t know what anybody expected,” Merson told Sky Sports News. “This is Arsenal now. It’s just lacklustre. There’s no urgency. People say they wouldn’t know if this was Arsene Wenger’s team, I don’t know about that because defensively they looked comfortable. David Luiz just played in first gear.
“But going forward, they’ve got no guile. It looked like Chris Wilder knew exactly what he wanted from his side. But with Arsenal and Unai Emery, it was almost like: ‘See you at half-time and full-time.’ I kept thinking: ‘What would this Arsenal side look like if Chris Wilder was in charge?'”
Arsenal are back in action on Thursday as Portuguese side Vitoria SC come to the Emirates in the Europa League.
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