Sheffield United vs Arsenal LIVE result: Blades cut through Gunners to earn all three points
Sheffield United were the better side and took all three points from a sluggish Arsenal
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Arsenal lost at Bramall Lane against Sheffield United and missed the opportunity to regain their place inside the top four.
The Blades proved too good for their visitors, moving the ball well and rarely suffering threat to their own goal.
Lys Mousset scored the winning goal, turning in from close range. Re-live all the action:
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Team news
Arsenal could welcome back as many as four players to Premier League action for the visit to Sheffield United.
Striker Alexandre Lacazette was back in full training this weekend and while it is unlikely he will be risked from the start, he could be among the substitues.
Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding and Kieran Tierney have all accrued minutes in the Carabao Cup and Europa League this season, but the latter is the most advanced in his recovery and could come in for Sead Kolasinac.
Chris Wilder meanwhile has said he will give injured trio John Fleck, Oli McBurnie and David McGoldrick every opportunity to prove their fitness ahead of the game.
McGoldrick missed Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2020 qualifiers with the groin injury, while fellow striker McBurnie pulled out of the Scotland squad with a knee problem.
Predicted line-up
Sheffield United: Henderson, Basham, Egan, O’Connell, Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Osborn, Stevens, Robinson, Mousset
Arsenal: Leno, Chambers, Holding, Luiz, Tierney, Torreira, Xhaka, Guendouzi, Pepe, Aubameyang, Saka
When is it?
Kick-off is at 8pm BST on Monday 21st October.
How can I watch it?
The match will be broadcast on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from 7pm.
You can also live stream the match via the Sky Go app on a range of devices, including laptops, smartphones and tablets.
Odds
Sheffield United: 11/4
Arsenal: 10/11
Draw: 13/5
(source: Paddy Power)
Prediction – Sheffield United 1-1 Arsenal
Arsenal’s last two Premier League away games have ended in score draws, and a similar fate could be in store for Unai Emery’s men in Sheffield.
While they have managed to fathom victory out of nowhere at the Emirates, Emery’s side have looked uninspiring for the majority of their games away from north London, except a brilliant first half not far from home at Watford.
Hope remains that Arsenal’s play will improve at both ends of the field once Hector Bellerin, Kieran Tierney and Rob Holding return, but regardless of the 11 players to take the field Sheffield United will fancy their chances against a side won just once on the road in four attempts this season.
The Blades came agonisingly close to claiming a point against Liverpool, and having also held Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this season, they could increase their points tally on Monday night as well.
Prediction - Sheffield United 1-1 Arsenal
Arsenal's last two Premier League away games have ended in score draws, and a similar fate could be in store for Unai Emery's men in Sheffield.
While they have managed to fathom victory out of nowhere at the Emirates, Emery's side have looked uninspiring for the majority of their games away from north London, except a brilliant first half not far from home at Watford.
Hope remains that Arsenal's play will improve at both ends of the field once Hector Bellerin, Kieran Tierney and Rob Holding return, but regardless of the 11 players to take the field Sheffield United will fancy their chances against a side won just once on the road in four attempts this season.
The Blades came agonisingly close to claiming a point against Liverpool, and having also held Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this season, they could increase their points tally on Monday night as well.
The early team news is that Sheffield United could be without John Fleck, Oli McBurnie and David McGoldrick as all three had to pull out of international duty because of injury.
Worse for McBurnie is that he has been charged with drink driving on Friday morning.
For Arsenal, striker Alexandre Lacazette faces a fitness test on the ankle problem that has ruled him out since the start of September.
Reiss Nelson, who has a knee ligament injury, will not return to training until November.
This could be an interesting match. Sheffield United like to be positive, especially with their creative use of wingbacks so they'll look to take the game to Arsenal.
That tactic has worked better for them on the road this year as they've picked up six points away from home compared to just the three when hosting.
If Arsenal have developed at the back the open nature of the game should suit their powerful front line but if not there could be weaknesses in defence.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder explains what his team has to do to come away with a result against Arsenal: "Arsenal are a historic, iconic club and it is another brilliant fixture for us.
"I thought we played well against Liverpool but we need to pick up something from the game this time and we believe we can do that. We went after Liverpool when we could and picked our times, and we will do that against Arsenal.
"We are competitive and we fancy our chances and we are bullish. At the same time, however, understanding the threat and pace and power that Arsenal have in the top end of the pitch - we must respect that."
Arsenal head coach Unai Emery has had his say on the mentality of his side: "We have challenges every day, we have challenges when we are playing matches and we have them collectively.
"This is our mentality and really we can be frustrated with some moments in our past. We are in our present but that frustration is to be one step ahead and be positive and be consistent in our mentality and our work."
Arsenal have a really strong record against Sheffield United. They have lost just three games in 26 matches, in all competitions.
The Blades however are unbeaten in their last four top-flight home games against the Gunners. Their last defeat came in 1991 with one victory and three draws since.
It's been 13 years since the two teams met in the league but they've faced each other twice in the League Cup in that time with Arsenal winning both matches at an aggregate score of 9-0.
With just one victory in four away games this season for Arsenal could Sheffield United be in with a chance of taking points off the Gunners?
Here's how we see tonight's match going:
Sheffield United
Sheffield United have scored just one goal before half-time in the Premier League this season, fewer than any other side.
All seven of their goals have been scored by different players, including two own goals.
They haven't lost a league game on a Monday in 12 outings since January 2012. However, this is their first top-flight game on Monday since January 2007, when they lost 3-1 to Middlesbrough.
Arsenal
Arsenal are winless in their three away league games since beating Newcastle on the opening weekend.
Under Unai Emery, the Gunners have kept just two clean sheets in 23 away Premier League matches (1-0 wins at Watford and Newcastle).
The Gunners have won their last seven Premier League games in Yorkshire - the longest winning run by an away side in the county in English top-flight history.
Arsenal have lost just one of their last 11 Premier League matches on a Monday (W8, D2), a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in April 2017.
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