Key events
“We believe it is the right thing to do,” Arteta said of sticking with an unchanged team for tonight.
What is he most pleased about, in view of Arsenal’s strong recent form?
“The consistency we showed, how strong defensively, and the aggression and determination. We’ve generated [created] a lot.”
Mikel Arteta also had a chat with the telly boys, with Thierry Henry alongside Jamie Carragher on pundit duty this evening.
“They have made some changes during matches,” Arteta says of Sheffield United and Wilder’s reputation for creativity with his formations.
“We have to be adaptable. The players have to have adaptability, understand where the space is going to be.”
Carragher asks: what is it like watching City and Liverpool win, and then having to play on a Monday night? “It’s a lot of changes at the moment,” Arteta says. You’re watching the games and hoping for certain results, but we have to focus on what we can control.”
A smiling Chris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, has a chat with Sky Sports: “I’ve got to say whatever was happening, regarding points totals [potential deductions for Everton and Forest], your job as a pro footballer is to keep going right til the end … we’ll go to the final whistle on the final day.
“We need to give our supporters something to shout about. We’ve not been good enough all season, especially the last couple of games at home.
“It’s brilliant [to have George Baldock back on the bench] … the likes of Tom Davies, Oli McBurnie – they’ve played in this division, they know what nights like this are all about.
“I know, nights like this, how the place can get going … we need to get a platform in the game … we need to get off to a decent start.”
Teams
Two changes for the hosts, with Oli McBurnie and Tom Davies coming in. “The Arsenal” are unchanged from their 4-1 win against Newcastle last time out, while Thomas Partey on the bench, available again after a long-term injury.
Sheffield United: Grbic, Ahmedhodzic, Trusty, Robinson, Bogle, Norwood, Vinicius Souza, Hamer, Tom Davies, McAtee, McBurnie. Substitutes: Baldock, Brereton, Foderingham, Osborn, Arblaster, Larouci, Osula, Brooks, Peck.
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli. Substitutes: Ramsdale, Partey, Gabriel Jesus, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Cedric, Trossard, Vieira, Nelson.
Referee: Sam Barrott
Preamble
Manchester City are on a roll. Jurgen Klopp’s rebooted Liverpool 3.0 have hit some serious form, too. Victory for Arsenal at Sheffield United this evening is therefore non-negotiable if they want to keep some heat on the top two.
The Gunners have been on a productive run themselves, mind you, and three points at Bramall Lane tonight would make it seven league wins in a row for Mikel Arteta’s side. There is also good news on the fitness front, with the central midfield general, Thomas Partey, set to be involved for the first time since October.
For the Blades February was an extremely mixed bag. They mustered victory against relegation-battle rivals Luton, but conceded five goals at home not once but twice: first against Villa, then against Brighton. (They also shipped five at home against the Seagulls at the end of January, in the FA Cup.)
They prop up the Premier League table on 13 points, equal with 19th-placed Burnley but having played a match fewer. Things are looking bleak, but could Chris Wilder have something up his sleeve to exert a bit of pressure on title-chasing Arsenal?
Kick-off: 8pm UK time
