Prediction: Sheffield United vs Arsenal

Verdict: Arsenal win 

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Bet365

Looking to extend their stay in the top-four and continue on their recent momentum, Arsenal will make the trip to Bramall Lane on Monday night.

Sheffield United

Starting with the hosts, after only managing to play out a 0-0 stalemate against relegation scrappers Watford prior to the international break, Chris Wilder’s men have endured a sluggish five weeks. With their sole ambition this season to simply extend their top-flight status come May, the Blades have now failed to win any of their last three matches across all competitions and have recorded just a single Premier League victory since the 18th of August. While they may have impressed many by battling from behind to snatch a point at Stamford Bridge last month, they are starting to show some glaring issues in the final third. Drawing a blank against rock-bottom Watford a fortnight ago, United have now gone almost 300 minutes without finding the net. Along with calling on some much-needed improvements on the attack, Wilder also has a growing headache regarding his side’s form on home soil. Monday’s hosts have lost each of their last three matches at Bramall Lane by a score of 1-0, a run that also saw them come crashing out of the EFL Cup at the hands of League One outfit Sunderland.

Team News

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder will give John Fleck, Oli McBurnie and David McGoldrick every opportunity to prove their fitness.

All three had to pull out of international duty because of injury.

Arsenal

As for the visitors, with both Manchester United and Spurs so publically struggling at the start of the new season, Arsenal are firmly dreaming of landing a Champions League return come next summer. Picking up a 1-0 over Bournemouth prior to the break, Unai Emery’s men have won five of their last six matchups and are also enjoying an eight-match unbeaten run that stems back to the 24th of August. One man who is really leading Arsenal’s charge so far this season has been attacking talisman and leading goalscorer, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabon international has bagged eight goals in his 10 appearances across all competitions so far this year and also has three strikes in his last two Premier League matches on the road. Although they might be continuing to shine in the final third, Arsenal have shown some continued issues at the back, particularly domestically. The Gunners have recorded just a single Premier League clean sheet in their last seven appearances.

Team News

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.

Key Factors to Consider

• Arsenal have won five of their last six matches and are also unbeaten in their last eight matches across all formats.
• Sheffield United have lost their last three matches at Bramall Lane by a score of 1-0.
• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored eight goals in his 10 matches across all competitions so far this season.
• The Blades have failed to score in their last three matches on the bounce.

Conclusion

While Arsenal might be continuing to show some issues on the road, they should see Monday as a golden opportunity to extend on what is becoming an extended purple patch. With Sheffield United losing their last three matches at Bramall Lane, including a shock 1-0 defeat against Sunderland in the EFL Cup last month, we’re backing the Gunners to come away with all three points.

Verdict: Arsenal win 

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Bet365