Following their 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace last weekend, Arsenal will look to seek redemption when they host Sheffield United at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow in their next Premier League fixture.
While the Blades are flying high upon their return to the top flight, the Gunners are currently 11 points behind the fourth place and have to put in a herculean effort to make it to the Champions League next season.
Arsenal Team News
Mikel Arteta will be bereft of the services of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who begins his 3-match ban. Calum Chambers is also out owing to his anterior cruciate ligament injury.
While Sead Kolasinac could miss due to a thigh strain, Kieran Tierney is nursing a shoulder injury and is on the treatment table at the moment. Further, Hector Bellerin is also not ready for a return while Lucas Torreira is also a doubt.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs Sheffield United (4-2-3-1)
Defence
Bernd Leno is set to start in goal. The custodian has done a superb job between the sticks and will strive to bag a clean sheet this weekend.
Sokratis and David Luiz are expected to be summoned by Arteta to start in the central defence. A lot could hinge on how these two veteran defenders ply their trade against Chris Wilder’s sprightly troops.
Bukayo Saka is seemingly likely to be deputized in the left-back position if Kolasinac fails to recover in time while Ainsley Maitland-Niles could start once again from the opposite side.
Midfield
Lucas Torreira is likely to miss out which will mean a start for Matteo Guendouzi. Granit Xhaka is an automatic pick when fit and the duo will be tasked to deal with the efficient midfield setup of the Blades.
There has been an upturn in Mesut Ozil’s form and the German will start in the no.10 role in the Arsenal lineup.
Attack
In the absence of Aubameyang, Gabriel Martinelli could be handed a start to feature on the left-wing. Reiss Nelson is also an option and might well edge the summer arrival to a place in the Arsenal lineup.
Nicolas Pepe could keep his place on the right flank while Alexandre Lacazette is expected to lead the line. The latter has failed to find the back of the net in the last six appearances and will be under immense pressure but at the same time, in with an equal opportunity to shine with Aubameyang set to miss 3 games.
ARSENAL LINEUP
