Yesterday morning, I braced myself to publish a post on how I love and hate late goals, as I recalled the euphoria from Reiss Nels0n’s late winner against Bournemouth last season, or more recently, Declan Rice’s last gasp header against Luton Town that sent Gunners to delirium. However, Nottingham Forest had one job to do on Saturday evening and failed miserably, as Darwin Nunez scored a late goal to give Liverpool three vital points ahead of their top of the table clash with Manchester City in the horizon.
Regarding the Manchester Derby, there was some inevitability about it, but I got a pleasant surprise when Marcus Rashford rifled in a surface-to-goal piledriver that waltzed past Ederson for a Manchester United goal, and that was pretty much it from an attacking perspective from Manchester United. Manchester City utterly dominated their neighbors and goals from Phil Foden and Erling Haaland put them to the sword.
With Liverpool and Manchester City winning their games, Arsenal go into this game five points behind the Premier League leaders and four points the challengers, so there is some pressure ahead of undoubtedly the worst defense in the division with 66 goals shipped in. When Arsenal locked horns with Sheffield United in October 2023, Eddie Nketiah swooped in with a sensational hattrick, as the Gunners ran out as 5-0 winners.
I wouldn’t expect much rotation from the side that has been in imperious form in the league, with probably the exception of Jorginho to favor a more attacking approach, since the only acceptable outcome from tonight is three points. Gabriel Jesus can also be in contention, but I have a hunch he will start from the dugout with Leandro Trossard taking his slot.
To team news, Sheffield United will be without Mason Holgate, who is suspended, Cameron Archer has a calf injury, Anis Ben Slimane is not expected back for at least another three weeks, while Chris Basham, John Egan, Max Lowe and Rhys Norrington-Davies are all out long term.
Mikel Arteta shared some favorable injury news in his presser, and the fans will brace themselves to see Thomas Partey after such a lengthy injury layoff.
Sheffield United and Arsenal Predicted Lineups
Sheffield United: Grbic, Ahmedhodzic, Trusty, Robinson, Bogle, Norwood, Souza, Hamer, Larouci, McAtee, Brewster
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Injury / Suspension Updates
Sheffield United: Max Lowe (ankle), Chris Basham (leg), Rhys Norringhton-Davies (hamstring), John Egan (leg), Anis Slimane (knock), Cameron Archer (calf)
Arsenal: Jurrien Timber (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (lack of match fitness), Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf)
Form Guide
Sheffield United
- Last Five Games: L L W L L
- Last Result: Wolves 1-0 Sheffield United (Sarabia 30′)
- Leading Goalscorer: James McAtee (5)
Arsenal Form
- Last Five Games: W W W L W
- Last Result: Arsenal 4-1 Newcastle (Botman )G 18′, Havertz 24′, Saka 65′, Kiwior 69′ | Willock 84′)
- Leading Goalscorer: Bukayo Saka (16)
Gooner Daily predicts a 4 – 0 win.
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