Arsenal travel away at Bramall Lane against Sheffield United to continue their Premier League title charge on Monday, which is also the last fixture of game week 26.
Being the last fixture on Monday night means Arsenal would have the time to keep an eye on their rivals Liverpool and Manchester City in the thick of a title challenge throughout the weekend. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have been in the best form ever since they had a trip away to Dubai for warm weather training. With 6 continuous wins and 25 goals scored in the league.
Arsenal thumped past Newcastle United last game week winning 4-1. goals from Kai Havertz, Saka, Jakub Kiwior and some help from Sven Botman (OG), meant Arsenal take all 3 points. It was Eddie Nketiah’s quick hattrick in the reverse fixture which was certainly the decisive difference between the two sides in another 5-0 result favouring Arsenal.
Sheffield United have been rooted to the bottom of the table for almost the whole of the season. Previous match week saw them narrowly lose to Wolves away from home. That just sums up their season to be honest, good performances but nothing standout when it comes to scoring goals or even having something solid to defend at the back.
It’s no doubt Arsenal are the obvious favourites going into the fixture but can the Blades spoil the party for the Gunners and make sure they play the fixture by making the most of their home turf?
WHEN AND WHERE?
Date: 5th March 2024, Monday
Time: 8:00 PM GMT
Venue: Bramall Lane
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Sam Barrott
Assistants: Simon Bennett, Dan Robathan
Fourth Official: Anthony Taylor
VAR: John Brooks
Assistant VAR: Marc Perry
TEAM NEWS
The break between the two fixtures has been positive to Arsenal, as they’ve had many players returning from the squad.
Jurrien Timber was back in full training with squad but is expected not to feature for a couple of more weeks to regroup and get back into shape. Gabriel Jesus was an unused substitute in their previous fixture and is expected too make the cut alongside Fabio Vieira and Thomas Partey.
Arteta is said to be assessing the duo of Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko on whether they’ll be fit for the fixture.
For Sheffield, John Egan, Chris Basham, Rhys Norrington-Davies and Max Lowe are long-term absentees.
Mason Holgate is facing suspension for the fixture due to seeing a straight red.
The trio of Ben Brereton Diaz, George Baldock and Cameron Archer missed the last game but could be back in contention for the fixture against Arsenal.
PRE-GAME TACTICAL ANALYSIS
Arsenal have scored the most goals in 2024 in the league this season (25 goals). Whilst having the best GD in the league, they would want to continue this run of form and capitalise and also maximise on it.
Arsenal have one of the best attacking returns in the league this season whereas Sheffield have the worst. Sheffield’s defensive structure hasn’t been up to mark this season, there’s no surprise Arsenal would look to exploit the spaces in the middle of the pitch and create chances.
Sheffield are expected to set up a low block in order to prevent Arsenal’s fire power have lesser returns on their goal. The likes of Havertz leading the line and Martinelli/Saka at the wings can be a big advantage.
Lately, Arteta has gotten his gameplan on the money and the goals scored do justice to it, looking onto this we can only say that its going be another long 90 minutes for the Blades. Being the underdogs this season, Chris Wilder should be preparing for the fixture like no other.
KEY PLAYERS
Kai Havertz:
Havertz is slowing getting at the thick of the business for Arsenal. Started the previous match against Newcastle and it benefitted him with a goal and an assist. In terms of being the most unpredictable/versatile output for Arsenal, Kai Havertz has been coming off good. His uncanny ability to assess the pattern of play and create connections with players creates a unique dynamic going forward. He’s an engine when it comes to pressing from the front and can easily be the focal point in creating chances against the Blades.
PREDICTED LINEUPS
Arsenal’s predicted XI vs Sheffield United: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Rice, Havertz, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.
Sheffield United’s predicted XI vs Arsenal: Ivo Grbic, Ahmedhodzic, Trusty, Robinson, Bogle, Norwood, Vinicius Souza, Hamer, Larouci, McAtee, Brewster.
