Prediction: Arsenal vs Sheffield United

Verdict: Arsenal win 

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Unibet

Getting their Anfield revenge earlier in the week, Arsenal will turn their attention back to Premier League duties when they host Sheffield United at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon.

Arsenal

Starting with the hosts, managing to book their spot in the quarter-finals of this year’s EFL Cup thanks to penalties victory at Anfield on Thursday night, Arsenal should still find the mood in their camp at a real high. While a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the defending champions earlier in the week might have brought an end to the Gunners’ 100% start to the new Premier League campaign, Mikel Arteta’s men certainly have a Champions League return at the top of their agenda this season. Already lifting both the Community Shield and the FA Cup at an empty Wembley over the summer, Pep Guardiola’s former right-hand man also has one attacking star enjoying an early-season purple patch. Despite missing a golden chance at Anfield in their 3-1 defeat on Monday night, Alexandre Lacazette once again got himself on the scoresheet and has found the net in all three of Arsenal’s Premier League appearances entering October.

Team News

After being rested at Anfield while on EFL Cup duties on Thursday night, skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set for a recall and will join Alexandre Lacazett up top.

However, while defender Sokratis has made a return to training, the Greek international will not feature on Sunday.

Sheffield United

As for the visitors, while Sheffield United might have cemented their spot as the Premier League’s surprise package last season, Chris Wilder’s side are really showing some cause for concern this time around. Left heartbroken last weekend after watching bitter rivals and top-flight returners Leeds land a last-gasp 1-0 win at Bramall Lane, the Blades have now lost each of their three appearances since opening the 2020/2021 campaign. Even more worrying for this weekend’s guests, along with losing each of their final three Premier League matchups over the summer, they now find themselves in the midst of a six-match losing run continuing on from last season. In fact, A seventh consecutive Premier League defeat on Sunday would equal their longest losing streak in the top flight, set between August and September 1975. With a tough run of fixtures in October, Wilder will also have a real headache over his side’s issues in the final third. Sheffield United have failed to score in each of their opening three league games for the first time in their history.

Team News

Sheffield United remain without Simon Moore and Lys Mousset, but John Egan is back after completing a one-game ban.

His return is timely as fellow defender Jack O’Connell is ruled out.

Key Factors to Consider

• Including their last three Premier League contests last season, Sheffield United have now lost each of their previous six top-flight matchups on the bounce.
• The Blades have also failed to record a single strike in any of their three contests so far this season.
• Alexandre Lacazette has found the net in all three of their opening Premier League appearances so far.
• Arsenal have not lost a Premier League home game in 2020, a run of 10 matches since defeat by Chelsea on 29 December (W8, D2).
• When the two sides faced off back in June, the Gunners picked up a 2-1 win at Bramall Lane on FA Cup duties.

Conclusion

While Arsenal might have seen Liverpool end their 100% start to the new campaign on Monday night, the Gunners will be looking to make a return to winning ways and lay down a real marker in the capital. With the likes of Alexandre Lacazette now finding the net in each of his three Premier League appearances so far, a downbeat Sheffield United could be in for a tough trip to North London. Continuing to show the same issues that haunted them at the end of the 2019/2020 campaign, Sunday’s guests have lost each of their opening three top-flight contests heading into October and are still yet to even record a single strike so far. Landing a 2-1 win on FA Cup duties when the two sides faced off back in June, we’re backing a similar home victory this weekend.

Verdict: Arsenal win

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Unibet