Basement club Sheffield United, with their leaky defence, host a free-scoring Arsenal side, who are keen to hold on to their podium at the top.
Chris Wilder will want answers from his players, particularly those in the defensive third, as to why they concede so many goals. Sheffield United have not lost more than a single goal margin on their away trips, but they have shipped in five goals in each of their last three home games across all competitions ahead of the visit of Arsenal.
Should they allow Arsenal to score five or more and not concede, the Blades could become the first club in English league history to lose three consecutive league games by a five-goal margin. Wilder will undoubtedly want to avoid this unwanted record. But only time will tell whether the Gunners have lost their scoring touch in the space of a week.
Sheffield United may have their fate sealed with another defeat, albeit not mathematically. Considering they will stay on 13 points at the end of Monday, they need to recover at least seven points and then need more to guarantee safety, which seems like a mountain to climb in the time remaining in the campaign.
Arsenal fans had this vague idea of exacting revenge on Newcastle United after their controversial reverse fixture at St. James’ Park. Those supporters would have been over the moon looking at the sort of performance Mikel Arteta’s men put in, with goals from Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Jakub Kiwior and a Sven Botman own goal demolishing the Magpies.
Arsenal have been sensational lately, scoring at least five goals in their last two games. The Gunners could become the first team in the top four English divisions to win three consecutive away matches by five goals or more, something Arteta’s side will see as an achievable record owing to Sheffield United’s dismal home form.
The Gunners aim to keep the pressure at the top of the table and stay close to Liverpool and Manchester City. They could also come into Monday with an advantage should the latter drop points in the Manchester Derby, although Arteta would care less about results elsewhere and will demand three points from his players on Monday night.
Team News & Tactics
Sheffield United
Chris Wilder gave positive updates on the fitness of George Baldock and Ben Brereton Diaz, with the duo set to be available for selection again. Whether the manager makes room in his starting eleven for the duo remains the question, particularly after Sheffield United’s confident display away at Molineux.
Hence, should Diaz come in, Wilder might do so at the expense of Oliver Norwood, with James McAtee likely to play in a midfield role. Similarly, Baldock might come in for Jayden Bogle at right wing-back, as the team otherwise should look similar to the one that took on Wolves.
Daniel Jebbison, Cameron Archer, Anis Ben Slimane, Chris Basham, John Egan, Max Lowe, and Rhys Norrington-Davies are all absent for this clash, while Mason Holgate will serve the second of his three-game suspension.
With Archer still out of action, Wilder was impressed by the returning Rhian Brewster, who had made his first start in November. He will partner with Ben Brereton Diaz in the attack, while Mason Holgate’s absence should allow former Arsenal man Auston Trusty to keep his place and face Arteta’s side.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Foderingham; Ahmedhodzic, Trusty, Robinson; Baldock, Hamer, Souza, McAtee, Larouci; Brewster, Brereton Diaz
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s injury list continues to reduce with each passing game and come the weekend; he may have only one or two players in that treatment room. The Arsenal boss has insisted Jurrien Timer will not participate in the match despite the Dutchman making tremendous progress since returning from his ACL injury and has already returned to full training.
Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko are pretty close, too, as Arteta did not rule them out from making the matchday squad on Monday. Their presence might not affect Jakub Kiwior’s place in the lineup, with the Polish defender proving his worth with some good performances of late.
Arteta confirmed that Thomas Partey is in line to make it to the matchday squad, having missed games since October due to a serious thigh injury. Similarly, the Ghanaian will not be thrust into the lineup yet, as Arsenal will want to manage his fitness well.
Gabriel Jesus returned to the bench last weekend, although he was not used. Arteta might not bring the Brazilian and disturb his side’s current form, which is thriving with Kai Havertz in the centre-forward role. Hence, there is a big chance that Arsenal will name an unchanged lineup from the one that beat Newcastle United at the Emirates.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Odegaard, Rice, Jorginho; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Key Stats
- Sheffield United could become the first side in English league history to lose three successive home games by a five-goal margin.
- Sheffield United are winless in their last 10 Premier League games.
- Arsenal could become the first team in the top four divisions to score five goals in their last three away league games.
- Arsenal have scored at least four goals in their last three matches, including at least five in their previous two away encounters in the Premier League.
- Arsenal have won their last six matches in the Premier League.
Player to Watch
Kai Havertz
Finally, the German is coming in the form in the way Mikel Arteta may have wanted when he splashed the cash on the former Chelsea man. Havertz was fantastic against Newcastle United in that false-nine role, notching a goal and assist to make his mark.
The German will come under some pressure with Jesus’s return to fitness. Arteta might keep hold of Havertz in that No.9 role for the Sheffield United game. Still, the attacker must deliver another stellar performance to keep the Brazilian at bay while showing the manager the system where he is the centre-forward works wonders for the team.
Prediction
Sheffield United 0-4 Arsenal
Chris Wilder will hope his side have learnt their lesson when it comes to conceding needless goals, especially on home soil. While he may have some of his critical stars back, there is a big chance of the Blades repeating their leaky defensive performance, especially considering the scoring form Arsenal are in.
Mikel Arteta will be vying for a seventh straight victory in the Premier League, as Arsenal are keen to keep their position in the table. Their free-scoring form will likely prove difficult for Sheffield United, as the 0-4 prediction should still be seen on the most modest side.
