Arsenal vs Sheffield United: 5 things learned in another draw

1. Is the magic wearing off?

When Mikel Arteta first arrived, we felt that jolt of enthusiasm and belief. Players looked brand new. Old guys looked inspired and the team looked to be headed in the right direction. We saw Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang defending, Mesut Ozil fighting and Nicolas Pepe really coming into his own.

Against Sheffield United, we saw Alexandre Lacazette continue to falter, Mesut Ozil continue to fade, and Nicolas Pepe continuing on the same path he’s been on for some time.

I wouldn’t call the match uninspired, but it was definitely not the same Mikel Arteta magic that characterized his early matches. It felt dulled by comparison. The belief didn’t look as strong and the confidence just wasn’t there. Not across the board.

My worry is that these veteran players have sunk back into their frustrations. David Luiz is still crushing it, but the attacking veterans are looking like their same bedraggled selves all over again. That’s concerning.

Maybe it’s a sign that more need to be sold than we initially thought.