Arsenal boss Unai Emery had no problems calling out £72million forward Nicolas Pepe for missing a sitter as the Gunners suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United.
The Ivorian has struggled to make an impact since joining the Gunners from Lille in the summer, and he was guilty of a stunning miss in the first half.
Nicolas Pepe has just one goal and two assists since joining Arsenal for £72m in the summer
He needed only to connect with Sead Kolasinac’s whipped cross to surely fire Arsenal in front but, from close range, he instead just swiped at thin air to blow his chance for a second goal in an Arsenal shirt.
The Blades then took full advantage of the miss, with Lys Mousset firing home from a corner in the 30th minute for what proved to be the winning goal.
And Emery admits Pepe blew Arsenal’s best chance of the match to score against one of the Premier League’s most stubborn defenses.
“That was the key I think because if that [Pepe’s chance] goes in – they are the team in the Premier League who have conceded least goals with Liverpool, seven only,” said the boss following the game.
“And if they score the first goal then defensively they are very strong and they defended very well in the second half.
Arsenal have not won away from home in the Premier League since the opening weekend
“It’s not easy to create the chances, but I think we controlled the ball more in the [better] positions.
“I think we deserved more. I don’t think we deserved to lose the match, but I appreciate [Sheffield United’s] work and I appreciate they are here with their supporters.”
Emery also bemoaned referee Mike Dean’s decision not to award his side an early penalty when John Egan pulled Sokratis back by his shirt as the hosts defended a corner.
“It was very clearly a penalty,” Emery said.
“I think it was very clear. Then the first chance for us, from Pepe.”
Mousset took advantage of some poor marking in the box on 30 minutes to score the only goal of the game
Arsenal missed the chance to move back up to third in the table and saw their eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions halted.
“We’re very disappointed with that result,” Emery added. “We created the best chances, but we didn’t achieve everything to win that match.
“We conceded more corners than we wanted and from one corner they scored from it.”
