Sheffield United vs Arsenal

Rock-bottom Sheffield United host title challengers Arsenal in the Premier League on Monday night.

The chasm between the two clubs in terms of results and resources is so stark that Blades boss Chris Wilder admitted: “We are trying to dress it up as a cup match.” That may not be the best advice for a side that was knocked out of the Carabao Cup by third-tier Lincoln City but Wilder has to try something different.

The reduction of Everton’s points deduction has only made any ambitions of Sheffield United’s great escape even more fanciful. The Blades have earned more red cards (four) than wins (three) this season.

Arsenal, by comparison, have made a faultless league start to 2024, winning all six of their matches by an aggregate score of 25-3.

Here’s everything you need to know about a clash of contrasts.

Sheffield United vs Arsenal H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

Anel Ahmedhodzic may have made an unconvincing case that Mason Holgate’s blatant red card against Brighton was unjust but his three-match suspension was unsurprisingly upheld.

There was a VAR check for two potential dismissals when a pair of Blades teammates, Vinicius Souza and Jack Robinson, clashed in last weekend’s defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wilder quashed the issue – “it got put to bed straight away” – but has plenty of existing absentees to juggle.

Neither Max Lowe (ankle) nor Rhys Norrington-Davies (hamstring) will feature again this season while Wilder admitted that John Egan (calf) would have to do “remarkably well” to win that particular race. Chris Basham is “just getting back to leading a normal life” after fracturing his ankle in October.

Cameron Archer is unlikely to figure again before the international break in March and Anis Ben Slimane is still struggling with a thigh issue.

The imminent returns of Ben Brereton Diaz and George Baldock offer a rare ray of light for the Blades.

Sheffield United predicted lineup vs Arsenal (3-5-2): Grbic; Ahmedhodzic, Trusty, Robinson; Baldock, Norwood, Souza, Hamer, Larouci; McAtee, Brereton Diaz.

Mikel Arteta revealed that Thomas Partey will be part of Arsenal’s travelling squad on Monday. The Ghana international has been sidelined with a hamstring problem since October but returned to training last month.

Both full-backs Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu “are possible” returnees according to a cautious Arteta. Zinchenko has been struggling with a calf injury over the last month while Tomiyasu is yet to appear for his club side after representing Japan at the Asian Cup earlier this year.

Jurrien Timber is back on the pitch yet is still in the early stages of his recovery from an ACL injury suffered on the opening day of the season.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Sheffield United (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.

There are endless figures to pick out which illustrate the monumental task Sheffield United face to even avoid a thrashing on Monday.

For starters, the Gunners have scored more Premier League goals this calendar year (25) than Sheffield United have mustered across the entire campaign (22). The Blades can hardly point to a parsimonious backline, shipping ten goals without reply across their previous two appearances at Bramall Lane.

Arsenal could be frustrated if Sheffield United can hold them at bay for the opening half-hour – but getting the better of the most in-form team in Europe for an entire 90 minutes will surely be beyond Wilder’s side. If the Blades concede early on, it may be another painful evening.

Prediction: Sheffield United 0-4 Arsenal

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