Tenth-place Arsenal will be looking to continue their steady progress under new boss Mikel Arteta when they host this season’s overachievers Sheffield United in the Premier League on Saturday.
Despite not being able to pick the desired results just yet, Arsenal’s performances have certainly improved in recent weeks. The Gunners are unbeaten under Arteta, with victories over Manchester United in the Premier League and Leeds in the FA Cup.
However, Arteta’s men could only manage a draw against Crystal Palace last time out. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put the Gunners ahead, before Jordan Ayew rescued a point for the Eagles. Aubameyang was later sent off for a poor tackle on Max Meyer.
The club’s top scorer will be sorely missed for the visit of Sheff Utd, but the likes of Alexandrea Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe are more than capable of filling in up front.
Still, Sheff Utd have been extremely hard to beat this season. The Blades have exceeded all expectations this term and Chris Wilder’s side come into this game in sixth – four points ahead of the Gunners.
An Oli McBurnie goal handed Sheff Utd all three points in their previous game. West Ham had an injury time goal ruled out by VAR, meaning the Blades returned to winning ways following defeats to Manchester City and Liverpool.
Wilder’s side have only conceded 21 goals in 22 league games this season. That means the Blades currently boast the joint second-best defensive record in the division. By contrast, Arsenal have conceded 31.
Sheff Utd claimed a 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture at Bramall Lane earlier in the season. With that being said, Arsenal will be confident of getting a result at the Emirates.
The majority of Arsenal’s points have come at home in 2019/20. Arsenal have won just two of their 11 away league games this term, but they have been far more impressive at home.
Arteta won’t be able to call upon Aubameyang this week after an appeal against his red card was rejected. Calum Chambers and Kieran Tierney remain long-term absentees for Arsenal, but Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac could return from injury.
Sheff Utd have no fresh injury worries, so Chris Wilder isn’t likely to tinker with his team too much. The Blades have had a very settled side all season.
Arsenal come into this game as favorites, but the Blades are currently above Arsenal in the standings so they’ll be confident of upsetting the odds.
Forebet predicts that both teams will score over 1.5 goals. However, this game is likely to end in a draw.