England Premier League
Saturday 18th January 2020
Kick off at 3pm GMT
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Match Preview:
From his first 4 games in charge Mikel Arteta has won 5 points, that is just over a 40% return which is in keeping with how Arsenal have performed this season. In no way shape or manner is that a good thing, but with Arteta fresh in the job judgement needs to be reserved for a few months.
The Gunners have improved on the pitch under Arteta, chasing down balls, leading attacks and showing some mental strength but questions will remain. One of those is hanging onto results, as though they aren't fit enough to maintain their first half performances. The club were exposed yet again in their last game which was away to Crystal Palace. Leading 1-0, they were pegged back and the game finished 1-1.
Perhaps Arteta’s objective should be making the Emirates a difficult place to come to, and in their last game at Emirates Stadium they easily overwhelmed old rival Manchester United and won that game 2-0. It was an assured performance. Arsenal’s biggest problem coming into this game could be the absence of striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who has been brilliant this season and earned with his goals a ton of points for the club. Every time the chips have seemed down and the game has been going away from them the former Borussia Dortmund player has come to the rescue. However he will be missing for 3 games after being sent off against Crystal Palace.
Arsenal are in 10th place and 33 points behind league leaders Liverpool. A Champions League finish looks out too as they trail Chelsea by 11 points. The good news is that despite a flurry of draws the Gunners have lost just once in their past five games, although they have just 1 win at home in their last five too.
Sheffield United are in 6th place and four points ahead of Arsenal. A win could see them take over Manchester United. The clubs last game ended in a narrow 1-0 victory over West Ham and it was an important win given that it was their first since before the Christmas period.
The Blades have drawn 6 of their 11 away games and lost just two. The bad news is that those two defeats have come in their last two trips. But they did come against Manchester City and Liverpool, so Chris Wilder who has done an amazing job with the club could be forgiven.
Team News:
Arsenal: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is suspended for 3 games after being sent off v Crystal Palace. Sead Kolasinac appears to have recovered from his thigh injury and has a 50/50 chance to make a return. Lucas Torreira has a muscle injury and is a doubt to be ready for this match.
Sheffield United: The Blades have no new injuries coming into this game.
Arsenal vs Sheffield Utd Head to Head:
The last time the teams played here was in 2008 when Arsenal won 6-0.
Earlier this season in the reverse fixture Sheffield United won 1-0.
Arsenal have scored nine goals against Sheffield United in their last two games when being at home.
Arsenal vs Sheffield Utd Prediction:
Arsenal need players to step up because with Torreira looking unlikely to start and their main striker suspended they look exposed against a very resilient side that may not have the tools to win this game but could take a draw at least and another two points away from the Gunners.
One of the players that needs to show his qualities is Nicolas Pepe. He obviously has a lot of talent and one would hope that under Arteta he will be able to show it. However we will back Gabriel Martinelli to get on the scoresheet, he's a very talented youngster and may get a chance to start this game with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang currently suspended. There is a lot of skill in this Arsenal team which has been restricted. We will also back the home win but proceed with caution as Sheffield United are not easy to break down away from home.
Arsenal vs Sheffield Utd Betting Tips:
Arsenal to beat Sheffield United at 1.80
Anytime goalscorer: Gabriel Martinelli at 2.90
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