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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Goalkeeper & Defenders

Arsenal’s Spanish first-team manager Mikel Arteta (R) talks with Arsenal’s Scottish defender Kieran Tierney (Photo by PAUL CHILDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Spanish first-team manager Mikel Arteta (R) talks with Arsenal’s Scottish defender Kieran Tierney (Photo by PAUL CHILDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Bernd Leno (GK) – The flak that Leno has been getting lately is a load of utter tosh. Instead of lamenting his shortcomings, we should be heralding his strengths.

There are areas where he could be better, but as we saw on Thursday, he continues to save our bacon time and time again. There are bigger issues to deal with at present then finding fault in the German.

Rob Holding (CB) – To Holding’s credit, he’s been working really hard to wrestle his way back into the starting lineup, and is justifying Arteta’s decision to pull the breaks on a loan departure. He’s been solid of late – his lack of pace still causes concern, mind – and at present it’s hard to see him drop out. Of what is available, probably Arsenal’s best centre-back dealing with one-on-one situations.

David Luiz (CB) – Can you leave Gabriel Magalhaes out of the team? As much as I’d love to see him start, it’s evident that Arteta is drip-feeding him opportunities in very pragmatic fashion. After Thursday, I’d be surprised to see him start here.

As for Luiz, he appears to be the first choice centre-back this season and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him play almost exclusively in the Premier League.

Kieran Tierney (CB) – It happened at Anfield with Sead Kolasinac where the formation fluctuated into a back four. This has occurred before since reverting to a back three, but was noticeably more common on Thursday. It’s a system that suits Tierney since he’s so effective in every third of the pitch. Bags more composure and end product in the final third mean he’s a shoo-in for Sunday.

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