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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LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Lucas Torreira of Arsenal receives medical treatment during 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: Lucas Torreira of Arsenal receives medical treatment during 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) /

Central Midfield

Another key player who has been dealing with an issue this week is Lucas Torreira. The defensive midfielder suffered a nasty clash with Nicolas Pepe against Crystal Palace and was withdrawn at half-time. In his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta provided some detail on the injury:

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"“He trained yesterday as well, but still not 100 per cent confident so we will have to wait and see again. It is something related to his hip, producing some pain in the muscle. I don’t know. He is a tough boy, he wants to train, he wants to play and hopefully he will be available for the weekend.”"

At this point, I am guessing with Torreira will play, but with a trip to Chelsea on Tuesday night looming, one that Arsenal must win if they harbour hopes of an unlikely top-four challenge, I expect Arteta to play this one cautiously.

That means Matteo Guendouzi comes into the team, as he did at half-time last weekend. He will partner Granit Xhaka as the holding pivot in front of the back four, while Mesut Ozil will look to get back to his best in the attacking midfield role just in front of the pair after a quiet showing against Palace last time.