Arsenal – Sheffield Utd : Preview & Prediction
Last season’s runners-up Arsenal will look to stay firmly in the Premier League (PL) title race by defeating basement side Sheffield United here. Mikel Arteta’s side dropped points in their last league game at Chelsea, but showed great determination to bounce back from being two goals down to salvage a point against their London rivals, ensuring they remain one of three teams still unbeaten in England’s top four divisions going into this weekend (G6, E3).
The Gunners followed that point at Stamford Bridge with a 2-1 win over Sevilla in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, but Mikel Arteta’s men were dealt a blow when Gabriel Jesus, who was involved in both goals, went off with a hamstring injury. That may keep him out here, but home fans will remain confident that they can continue to build momentum given that Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 36 PL games at the Emirates Stadium against newly promoted sides, a run that dates back to 2010 (G31, E5).
While the 2023/24 season is still getting underway, Sheffield United’s outlook already looks incredibly bleak. The 2-1 loss to Manchester United on Saturday was their eighth PL setback of the campaign, and their lone point after nine games is one of the worst records at this stage in the competition’s history. Rather ominously, it was the Blades’ 2020/21 campaign that also began in this manner and ended with relegation to the Championship.
Paul Heckingbottom’s side have weakened as the games have progressed, and have already conceded eight goals after 75 minutes in the PL this season. The severity of that troubling trend is amplified when you consider that no team has scored more PL goals during that period than Arsenal prior to this matchday (six).
Players to watch: Including his last six consecutive games, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka has scored or assisted in seven of his eight Premier League appearances this season. Trying to keep him at bay will be Sheffield United goalkeeper Wes Foderingham; He has made more saves this season (48) than any other PL goalkeeper prior to kickoff.
Key Fact: Sheffield United have won just two of their last 19 league games against Arsenal, neither of which were away.
Arsenal – Sheffield Utd : Betting Tips
Arsenal – Win Odds: 1.25
