Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal vs Sheffield United Predicted XI: Back to Winning Ways

By Ross Kennerley

Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (R) celebrates scoring their third goal with Arsenal's Brazilian midfielder Willian (L) during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage in London on September 12, 2020. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (R) celebrates scoring their third goal with Arsenal's Brazilian midfielder Willian (L) during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage in London on September 12, 2020. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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While Edu is busy racking up an astronomical phone bill, there is football going on.

Like a cash hungry Sauron, our eyes are fixed on the golden prize. Only this time, it comes in the form of two midfielder-shaped footballers. We sit here, hoping for the best, but preparing – and almost expecting – the worst. This is Arsenal after all. The news isn’t great.

But for the players and for Mikel Arteta, they need to prepare for the home visit of Sheffield United on Sunday, with nothing else in their sights other than a return to winning ways.

A penalty shootout victory over Liverpool at Anfield will have lifted the spirits after Monday’s defeat, but it’s vital that matches such as this one end in victory if a top four berth is to be achieved this season.

Back on home soil, those watching on as much as those playing will be hoping for a smoother ride than last time out. Arsenal toiled to a tepid 2-1 win over West Ham on matchday two of the Premier League, struggling to cope with the Hammers’ two banks of four and pace on the break.

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The Blades secured a ninth place finish in the league last season partly through a solid defensive shape that Arsenal could only dream of, but 2020/21 has been less fruitful thus far.

Three games, zero points and no goals scored have painted a fair dimmer picture over at Bramall Lane, a mental weakness that Arteta’s side should look to exploit from the off. Scoring early will be crucial at the Emirates in order to knock the already frail Blades’ confidence for six, giving the hosts a platform to build from.

Likewise, as the minutes wear on and no goals come by the way of Arsenal, desperation will seep in and we could be faced a similar story to the West Ham game. Given that, I get the feeling Arteta will change things up in midfield for the clash.

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