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, Bukayo Saka
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 26: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal reacts after a missed chance at goal during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on December 26, 2019 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /

Full-Backs

If there is one player who represents that improvements Arsenal have collectively and individually have made under Mikel Arteta, it is Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Playing in a position that he doesn’t want to, despite having the obvious skill set to suit it, the 22-year-old has excelled in Arteta’s hybrid right-back role.

Moving into midfield when in possession, Maitland-Niles’ positional versatility has come to the fore. He is calm and composed with the ball, athletic and energetic when defending, and has played with a focus that he was previously criticised for lacking. Hector Bellerin will return at some point, but for now, the right-back position is Maitland-Niles’ to lose.

On the other side, chaos. Kieran Tierney is out until March with a dislocated shoulder, while Sead Kolasinac will miss the match with a left thigh strain. Last time Arteta was forced into this situation, he turned to 18-year-old left-winger Bukayo Saka, who actually performed admirably in the role. Expect to see the same again here.