Preview: Sheffield United vs. Arsenal - prediction, team news, lineups

Arsenal travel to Sheffield United in the Premier League on Sunday evening seeking their first victory in a month.

The Gunners have gone four without a win in all competitions and need to respond here against the division's bottom side.

Match preview

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Arsenal's first full season under Mikel Arteta can perhaps be summed up by the final 10 minutes of Thursday's 1-1 Europa League quarter-final first-leg draw with Slavia Prague.

The Gunners frustrated for large parts before eventually finding a way through via a Nicolas Pepe strike, only to be pegged back by the softest of Tomas Holes goals in added time.

That leaves Arteta's men needing to score at least once in next week's return fixture in Prague if they are to keep their season alive.

Finishing in a European spot in the Premier League is now out of the question following a draw with West Ham United and defeat to Liverpool in their last two games.

Arsenal are positioned exactly midway in the division heading into the weekend's action, seven points off a Europa League spot with just eight games remaining.

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Sunday's trip to Bramall Lane presents a big opportunity to get back to winning ways, though, against a United side now preparing for life back in the second tier.

The Blades' relegation has not yet been officially confirmed, but a fifth loss in a row this weekend will effectively seal the deal.

Paul Heckingbottom's side did at least manage to snap a three-game run without scoring last time out, albeit with Ben Osborn's goal coming in a 2-1 loss to Leeds United.

United are the lowest-scoring side in the Premier League, netting just 17 times in 30 matches, but Arsenal have not kept a clean sheet in 14 games in all competitions.

This is not exactly a fixture Arsenal are famous for doing well in, either, having failed to win on any of their four Premier League trips to Bramall Lane, losing the last two.

In fact, Arsenal have played more Premier League matches at Bramall Lane without winning than at any other ground, a run which they quite simply have to bring an end to here.

Team News

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Arteta will prioritise next Thursday's return fixture with Slavia over this trip to Bramall Lane, which could mean returns for the likes of Mohamed Elneny and Calum Chambers.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was dropped for the first-leg draw against the Czech champions, but he assisted Pepe's goal from the bench and seems likely to be involved here.

Martin Odegaard was not included in the squad last time out because of an ankle injury, and Arteta is not confident of the midfielder returning this weekend.

Influential full-back Kieran Tierney and experienced centre-back David Luiz are the Gunners' other two injury absentees.

As for the home team, they will not be allowed to call upon Jayden Bogle and George Baldock after the pair were taken off with concussion against Leeds.

That leaves the Blades seriously short of defensive options on the right. Enda Stevens could fill in there, which in turn would mean a return to the XI for Ethan Ampadu.

Oli McBurnie and David McGoldrick are Heckingbottom's go-to choices up top, but Lys Mousset and Rhian Brewster are among those pushing for inclusion.

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Ramsdale; Egan, Ampadu, Jagielka; Stevens, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Osborn; McGoldrick, McBurnie

Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Leno; Chambers, Holding, Gabriel, Cedric; Elneny, Xhaka; Pepe, Ceballos, Saka; Aubameyang

We say: Sheffield United 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal are not in the best of form and this match is sandwiched by a couple of Europa League matches that will take priority for Arteta.

The Gunners also have a poor record at Bramall Lane, but this is surely the ideal fixture for them to get back to winning ways and build some momentum.

Keeping a clean sheet seems unlikely, even against the division's lowest scorers, so it could yet be a nervy evening in Yorkshire for the visitors.

Video prediction

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