Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Sheffield United: Predicted starting XI – Injuries, injuries, injuries

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, David Luiz, Sokratis
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 30: Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal speaks with David Luiz of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal FC at Old Trafford on September 30, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Centre-Backs

Perhaps the one position that is the most prepared for Saturday’s match, Mikel Arteta will know precisely who his centre-halves are by process of elimination. Calum Chambers has torn his ACL and is out for the season, Dinos Mavropanos has been loaned out, while Rob Holding is still not match-fit and Shkodran Mustafi is, well, Shkodran Mustafi.

That leaves only two other options to field at the heart of the defence: David Luiz, who has been excellent under Arteta, his passing range aiding Arsenal’s progression up the pitch, a key factor in how Arteta has structured the team thus far, and Sokratis, a wily old defender who is more experienced than capable at this point in his career.

It is not the most convincing of partnerships, as has been proven by their collective performances throughout the season, but Arteta does not really have any choice. He will be hoping those he puts around the centre-backs can provide ample protection.