Mikel Arteta will want Arsenal to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they host bottom-placed Sheffield United.
Arsenal, who face Sheffield United this weekend, have not played at their fluid best since the start of the season but have been churning out results. Their style of play has not been pleasing to the eye but for Mikel Arteta, the points on board matter. The Gunners have sacrificed some of the attacking football for more control and have remained unbeaten in the Premier League so far.
Their record came under threat last weekend after an appalling performance at Stamford Bridge, as they found themselves two goals down to Chelsea. Yet, the Gunners were able to show their quality by staging a 10-minute comeback, and Arteta may have wanted his side to finish that game on a winning note.
Another one for the Champions League collection 🤩
💫 @gabrieljesus9 pic.twitter.com/SHHEV6LZ9k
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 26, 2023
While he was somewhat satisfied to take that draw, Arteta will not have taken a similar result in midweek. Arsenal went to Seville and returned with three points, owing to his Brazilian stars Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus. Now, the manager will want the Gunners to return to winning ways and put in a comprehensive performance against bottom-placed Sheffield United.
Bournemouth and Sheffield United are the only two clubs in the Premier League without a win this season, and they are deservedly placed at the foot of the table. The Blades have shown some resilience since that 8-0 mauling at the hands of Newcastle United. But Paul Heckingbottom will want wins on board to succeed.
The Blades manager’s job has come under the spotlight following the dismal start to the campaign. However, his Sheffield United side put on a good performance against Manchester United, only to narrowly lose the clash to a Diogo Dalot goal in the second half.
There are encouraging signs within the Sheffield United group, but how long would the board keep Heckingbottom at the helm? The Blades boss would have hoped his side were in a better position ahead of the trip to Arsenal and will enter the clash as second-favourites to get anything from this fixture.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta will rue the late injury suffered by in-form striker Gabriel Jesus during the Sevilla clash. The Brazilian felt something in his hamstring and remains a big doubt for the Sheffield United clash. While the forward claimed the injury might come to nothing, the Gunners boss may not risk him, especially with the away game to Newcastle United next weekend.
Sensational Saka. 🌶 pic.twitter.com/dBFTK8UKMQ
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 26, 2023
Thomas Partey also suffered a fresh muscle problem before the Sevilla clash, and there is no timeline put on the Ghanaian’s return. Hence, Jorginho could keep his place in the holding midfield role, with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard slotting on either side of the Italian.
After Takehiro Tomiyasu’s midweek display, there are calls for the Japanese international to start in place of Oleksandr Zinchenko. But Arteta might keep the latter at left-back. The other members of his backline will also retain their places, including David Raya, who came in for further criticism against Sevilla.
With Jesus a potential doubt, Arteta might use this opportunity to test Kai Havertz in that No.9 role. The German has had a few positive games in that role from the bench, and the manager might hand him a start against Sheffield. Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka will keep their places, with Leandro Trossard also an option to replace Jesus if needed.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Sheffield United
Paul Heckingbottom’s pressure mounted further with the injury Ollie McBurnie picked up. The attacker is set for scans and remains a major doubt for the Arsenal clash. Sheffield United could come to the Emirates without almost ten first-team stars, which will force the manager into further alterations.
"It gave me opportunities to come to a historic club like this." 🔴
Watch Auston Trusty's full press conference ahead of Saturdays game vs Arsenal! 🎥
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) October 26, 2023
The Blades boss did confirm a return to training for Chris Baldock. But the clash at the Emirates might come too soon for him. He also insisted Will Osula and Max Lowe are getting closer to regaining full fitness, but not for the Arsenal game.
With McBurnie in doubt, Heckingbottom could bring Rhian Brewster into the starting lineup alongside Cameron Archer. The Sheffield United boss will set his team in a 4-4-2 shape to contain the threat posed by Arsenal.
With a depleted defensive line, former Arsenal man Auston Trusty could start alongside Jack Robinson in central defence. Jayden Bogle will keep his place at right-back, while Luke Thomas remains the preferred option on the left. In central midfield, Oliver Norwood and Vinicius Souza will maintain their partnership, with James McAtee and Gustavo Hamer starting in the wide areas.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Foderingham; Bogle, Trusty, Robinson, Thomas; McAtee, Norwood, Souza, Hamer; Brewster, Archer
Key Stats
- Arsenal have not lost a Premier League home game to a promoted side since November 2010.
- Arsenal have not kept back-to-back clean sheets in Premier League home matches since December 2021.
- It has been 53 years since the Blades last defeated the Gunners in the English capital.
- Sheffield United have lost eight of their last nine matches in the Premier League.
- Sheffield United have conceded at least two goals in their last eight matches in the Premier League.
Player to Watch
David Raya
Has David Raya done enough to keep his spot for this weekend? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/jzw5qNQuSK
— Le African Gooner (@leafricangooner) October 24, 2023
The Spanish goalkeeper came in for more scrutiny following another shaky performance against Seville. The media has mounted further pressure by constantly asking Mikel Arteta about fellow keeper Aaron Ramsdale. Yet the manager may continue to put his faith in the former Brentford star.
Raya needs to find his composure and put in a steady performance without all the nervousness inside the box. He has a good opportunity to showcase that against Sheffield United. But that should not absolve him from the pressure as he continues to learn how Arteta wants his goalkeeper to perform under tremendous pressure.
Prediction
Arsenal 3-0 Sheffield United
Arsenal have been solid enough to make themselves clear favourites heading to the Emirates on Saturday. While Mikel Arteta’s side has conceded the odd goal at home regularly, the manager will hope to keep back-to-back clean sheets at home, something they have not done here since December 2021.
For Sheffield United, this clash is a massive test of character, and another bad result could seriously start raising questions over Paul Heckingbottom’s future. Hence, the manager must prepare his side to give the Gunners a tough day on the field. But Arsenal are overwhelming favourites to take three points. We predict a 3-0 win for the home side.
