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Sheffield United’s start to the Premier League is officially the worst in the history of the competition.
The Blades lost 5-0 to Arsenal on Saturday afternoon as Eddie Nketiah netted a hat-trick with the Gunners running riot against their lowly opponents in North London.
It means Paul Heckingbottom’s side have taken just one point from their first 10 games back in England’s top division after promotion last year, also registering a minus 22 goal difference.
Overall they have conceded 29 goals, scoring just seven with their only point coming in a 2-2 draw with Everton at the start of September.
Sheffield United have now registered the worst ever start to a Premier League season
Paul Heckingbottom’s side lost 5-0 to Arsenal on Saturday afternoon in their latest defeat
The next few games are vital for the Blades, who already look out of sight in the battle to remain in the Premier League, sitting bottom and five points from safety.
They face Wolves next before a game against Brighton and then ties versus fellow strugglers Bournemouth and Burnley.
United’s owners must decide whether they want to stick with Heckingbottom as manager or change their direction and appoint a new manager. Former boss Chris Wilder has been linked with the job.
Only two teams in the history of the Premier League have picked up one point or fewer in their first 10 matches of a season – United this season and the same club in the 2020/21 campaign.
The Blades have one point and a minus 22 goal difference from their opening 10 matches, conceding 29 goals
They created 0.03xG against the Gunners – the fourth lowest in the Premier League since the start of the 2017/18 season
Former Blades manager Chris Wilder has been linked with a return to the club to take over as the new manager
They were relegated that year – 16 points short of safety – rock bottom of the division.
Against Arsenal, the Blades created 0.03xG from their two shots in the game, which is the fourth lowest xG recorded by a Premier League team since the beginning of the 2017/18 season.
Heckingbottom said before the game at the Emirates that his side had worked hard on their shape, and they had to deal with constant pressure from Arsenal, who enjoyed 68 per cent of the ball.
But their need to defend, whether that’s due to the stern injury list or playing levels, has left them struggling up top and in need of results fast or risk being cut adrift.
