Arsenal continue their quest to move up the Premier League table with a difficult match on Saturday, when they host surprise package Sheffield United at the Emirates Stadium in London. The reverse fixture, played in October, was won 1-0 by the Blades with a first-half goal from Lys Mousset. Overall, Arsenal have won three of the last six direct matches in all competitions and Sheffield United have won two.
Arsenal are still undefeated in all competitions in 2020, they won against Arsenal in the Premier League and against Leeds in the FA Cup, while last week they got held to a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace. Team captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang got sent off in that match and is now suspended for three games, quite a blow for the Gunners as they have relied on his goals quite heavily this season. Lucas Torreira picked up an injury during the same match and will be unavailable, along with Kieran Tierney and Calum Chambers. Hector Belleris is closer to his return but it probably won't happen in this match.
Sheffield United are still flying high after 22 matches, they are in sixth place with a four-point advantage over tenth-placed Arsenal. Last week the Blades managed to snap a two-game losing streak with a 1-0 home victory over West Ham United, their eigth league win of the season. There are no injury worries for the visitors apart from backup goalkeepers Simon Moore and Michael Verrip, so they are ready to try causing yet another upset this weekend. The Blades have lost their last two away matches, but those games were at league leaders Liverpool and at defending champions Manchester City.
Probable line-ups:
Arsenal: Leno - Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Luiz, Kolasinac - Guendouzi, Xhaka - Pepe, Ozil, Martinelli - Lacazette
Sheffield United: Henderson - Basham, Egan, O'Connell - Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens - McBurnie, Mousset
My prediction:
Arsenal are still under construction and without Aubameyang it will be quite difficult for them to beat a resolute team like Sheffield United, I think this match will end with a 1-1 draw.
Here are the odds for the match at NetBet:
Arsenal win - 1.87
Draw - 3.65
Sheffield United win - 4.40
sharpe 4 years ago
It wasn't exactly a surprise that the Gunners weren't able to win this one, obviously they're in a tough period while Sheffield United has been really flying high this season (according their potential of course) I'm a bit surprised that Arsenal are not more involved in the January transfer market no mater if we talking...
It wasn't exactly a surprise that the Gunners weren't able to win this one, obviously they're in a tough period while Sheffield United has been really flying high this season (according their potential of course) I'm a bit surprised that Arsenal are not more involved in the January transfer market no mater if we talking of inns or outs cause they definitely need some changes in both directions. A lot of thinking for Arteta ahead I think.
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