Arteta's men dare Wilder's Blades

Arsenal vs Sheffield United: Arteta's men dare Wilder's Blades - Premier League predictions and betting tips

 

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Alexander Lacazette celebrating after dismissing Fulham on the opening day

Arsenal vs Sheffield United

2:00pm

Emirates Stadium

 

Arsenal suffered defeat at Liverpool on Monday but got their pound of flesh three days later with a penalty shootout victory over the Kops in the round of 16 of the Carabao Cup.

 

Sheffield United are without a win in three, a direct opposite of their opening result in the 2019/20 season where they shocked many as the surprise team of the season and eventually finished 9^th, something they’d have taken with both hands at the start of the season when everyone tipped them for the drop.

 

In the loss to Liverpool in the league, Arsenal set up to defend, didn’t see the ball for 65% of the time but defended deep, many will ask why Gabriel Maghaeles wasn’t started but he got his call in the cup game and kept the Kops at bay for the entirety of the game.

 

Arsenal played Sheffield three times last season but couldn’t register a win in the league, their only win against the Blades last season was in the quarter finals of the FA Cup where a late Dani Ceballos low finish past Dean Henderson sent the Gunners to the semis on their way to glory, the Blades won at Bramall lane and then forced a draw at the Emirates on a day the Gunners were extremely wasteful.

 

The key battle here will be between Chris Basham and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, in the middle of the park, John Lundstram will have to sit deep alongside Sander Berge to weather storms as Arsenal will go for this and try to impose their style, the Blades are pressing Liverpool for an opportunity to sign Brewster on loan with their strikers struggling for form.

 

Arsenal are still hoping to be able strengthen in midfield, Houssem Aouar has been the name on everyone’s lips but nothing has happened as at the time of filing this, Thomas Partey is another name the fans want but they have to raise money from sales. On Sunday, both teams will go for it as Chris Wilder tries to halt the rot and Mikel Arteta tries to sustain momentum from the Liverpool win.

 

Verdict: Arsenal to win