Preview: Sheffield United vs Arsenal – stats, team news, line ups

Bramall Lane is the venue for an exciting Monday night football matchup as Premier League bottom-feeders Sheffield United, who are conceding at an alarming rate, host an Arsenal side that cannot stop scoring.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are in rampant form as they keep pace with the Premier League leaders Liverpool and Manchester City, and they’ll be keen to extend their remarkable winning streak in 2024.

With a bumper crowd expected to travel to Bramall Lane, it would be unsurprising if Arsenal fans are unable to purchase tickets to the eagerly awaited contest.

However, seatsnet.com offers folks a reprieve in that regard, with the platform allowing fans to purchase sold-out Arsenal tickets to ensure they don’t miss out on all the action.

A trip away from Bramall Lane proved a welcome change for Sheffield United last weekend despite failing to grab any points against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Stadium. 

While the Blades showed promising improvements compared to recent outings, Chris Wilder’s men remain firmly rooted to the bottom of the table, facing a daunting uphill battle to avoid relegation.

While Gary O’Neil’s Wolves weren’t exactly brimming with attacking prowess, United were once again left empty-handed as Pablo Sarabia’s solitary first-half header proved the difference, leaving Wilder with a sense of what could have been.

United’s current position in 20th place is a harsh reality, with a daunting 11-point gap separating them from safety. 

Their away record in 2024, conceding no more than a single goal on the road, offers a glimmer of hope. However, their home form paints a concerning picture.

Should Arsenal inflict a five-goal defeat on them next, United will etch their name in unwanted history. 

They stand on the brink of becoming the first team in English league history to lose three consecutive home games by a five-goal margin, and the only team ever to concede five goals in four consecutive home matches across all competitions.

A clash of contrasting fortunes awaits at Bramall Lane. While the Blades desperately cling to Premier League survival, the Gunners have their sights set on an unprecedented record.

United are in a precarious position, teetering on the brink of writing an unwanted chapter in English football history. They aim to avoid becoming the first team in the top four divisions to be relegated with two or fewer home wins in a season.

Arsenal, on the other hand, arrive brimming with confidence after securing a 6-0 thrashing of West Ham United and a 5-0 drubbing of Burnley in their last two away games.

They now seek a unique piece of history becoming the first team in the top four English divisions to win three consecutive away matches by a five-goal margin or more.

Despite their away prowess, Arsenal’s European adventure hit a snag with a 1-0 loss to Porto in the Champions League. However, they bounced back with a convincing 4-0 victory over Newcastle United, avenging their earlier defeat to the Magpies and solidifying their position in the top three.

The gap to pacesetters Liverpool currently stands at four points courtesy of their controversial 1-0 win over relegation contenders Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

As they come up against United, Arsenal will be keen to keep up the pace in a fixture they have historically dominated.

They thrashed United 5-0 back in October at the Emirates Stadium and have won their last two visits to Bramall Lane, including a 3-0 victory in the Premier League in April 2021.

Match Preview

United

United welcome Arsenal to South Yorkshire this weekend, carrying the weight of a concerning recent record against the free-scoring Gunners.

Wilder’s men have been comprehensively beaten in their last three meetings, conceding ten goals and scoring only one. 

This stark contrast follows a period of strong performances against the Gunners, with United losing just two of their previous nine league encounters (W2, D5).

United defender Anel Ahmedhodzic finds himself in unfortunate company. With 16 defeats in just 20 Premier League appearances, he sits on the cusp of an unwanted record. 

Only three players in Premier League history have lost more of their first 20 games, including Juninho Bacuna, Josip Drmic, and Oliver Burke (all 17). 

Despite their struggles in the final third, United can take solace in Oliver McBurnie’s goalscoring form on home turf. 

The Scotsman has been directly involved in five goals (scoring four and assisting 1) in his last five home Premier League games, even finding the net in each of his last four appearances at Bramall Lane. 

However, this individual brilliance hasn’t translated into team success, with the Blades failing to win any of those five matches (D2, L3). 

Arsenal

In all competitions, Arsenal have won three of their last four away games against the Blades. This is as many victories as they managed in their previous 12 encounters combined (D5, L4). 

This dominant form could see them achieve a historic feat – securing three consecutive away wins against United for the first time.

Adding further fuel to Arsenal’s fire is the blazing form of Bukayo Saka. The young star has been on a scoring frenzy, netting in each of his last five Premier League games. 

He’s particularly lethal on the road, scoring two goals in each of his last two away matches (vs West Ham and Burnley).

If Saka can maintain his scoring streak against United, he’ll join an elite group. 

Only Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp (September 1997) and England captain Harry Kane (September 2017) have ever managed to score two or more goals in three consecutive away appearances in the Premier League.

Team news & potential line-ups

United will be without defender Mason Holgate, who serves a one-match suspension following his red card in the recent defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.

However, manager Wilder welcomes back key players Ben Brereton Diaz and George Baldock for the crucial clash against Arsenal.

Wilder’s squad remains depleted, with long-term injuries impacting John Egan, Chris Basham, Rhys Norrington-Davies, and Max Lowe. Additionally, Rhian Brewster, Cameron Archer, Anis Ben Slimane, and Daniel Jebbison are unavailable for selection.

Arsenal, on the other hand, are expected to see the return of Thomas Partey for the first time since October. Gabriel Jesus is also nearing full fitness, having made a substitute appearance in their previous win against Newcastle.

Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain doubtful for the match and will undergo late fitness tests. New signing Jurrien Timber is not yet integrated into the matchday squad as he continues to recover from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

United potential starting line-up:

(3-5-2): Ivo Grbic; Anel Ahmedhodzic, Jack Robinson, Auston Trusty; George Baldock, Gustavo Hamer, Vinicius Souza, James McAtee, Yasser Larouci; Ben Brereton Diaz, Rhyan Brewster.

Arsenal potential starting line-up:

(4-3-3): David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jakub Kiwior; Martin Odegaard, Jorginho, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli.