News

Sheffield Preview: Team News, Injury Updates and Predicted Lineups

by
Anthony Okike
January 18, 2020

Pepe struggled against Sheffield

Sheffield will be bracing themselves for a revenge clash against their hosts, Arsenal, especially with the fact that they earned all three points when the Gunners visited Bramall Lane on a cold Monday night in October 2019. The history books do not favor Sheffield in this fixture, as they are winless in their last nine visits to Arsenal’s home ground, with their last win coming as far back as October 1971.

Sheffield is performing above expectations this season, sitting in sixth place and having the joint best defense in the league, which is in parity with the runaway leaders, Liverpool. Despite the Mikel Arteta resurgence at Arsenal, the club is closer to the relegation places than catching the top four, so they need three valuable points after today’s encounter with Sheffield.

With Aubameyang unavailable, Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, is hopeful that Alexandre Lacazette and the other players in the attacking department will find their scoring boots,

“It has been confirmed that [Aubameyang] is going to be suspended for three games. “It’s a big shame and a big loss for us, because as well we know Auba’s intention when he plays. But unfortunately he mistimed the tackle, he made a decision and we have to accept it.

“He’s been superb under me, he’s trained really well, he’s working so hard. He’s scoring goals and has probably been the most important player on the team. So to lose him, obviously, is really bad news for us.

“Players have to step up. You know, when one of your big players is not there, they have to take responsibility. I’m sure when they’re not playing, they want a chance and they talk. It’s time to talk on the pitch, not outside. You come on there, you make the impact that he made and you sure me that you are as good as him or even better. You have the chance.

“You can help [Lacazette find his goalscoring form] by talking to him and giving him confidence, but that ball has to end up in the net. I think that’s the best medicine for strikers.

“What we have to try to do is put Laca in positions where he can have as many opportunities to do that as possible during a game.

The players will want to pick up some momentum and get a deserved victory against Sheffield.

Arsenal Team News

The Gunners go into today’s game against Sheffield United without their talismanic striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang that was banned for three games following a poorly timed tackle on Crystal Palace’s Max Meyer.

Calum Chambers (knee) and Kieran Tierney (shoulder) are the long term absentees, and there are fresh fitness concerns for Lucas Torreira (muscle) and Sead Kolasinac (thigh).

Arsenal Predicted Lineup

Sheffield Team News

Chris Wilder has been very consistent in his selection with his back line and midfield starting almost every game in the league this season. He has managed to rotate his forwards, but they have not scored as much as expected. We are in December and Sheffield’s highest goalscorer is Lys Mousset with just five goals.

The Sheffield manager does not have any fresh fitness concerns to deal with.