Yahoo News Arsenal vs Sheffield United, Premier League: What time is kick-off, what TV channel is it on and what is our prediction?
What is it?
It's a match from the fourth round of the 2020-21 Premier League fixtures between Arsenal and Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium.
When is it?
The match is on Sunday, October 4.
What time is kick-off?
The game gets underway at 2pm.
What TV channel is it on?
Live coverage is available on Sky Sports Main Event. Alternatively, you can bookmark this page and return to follow all the action with Alan Tyers on our live blog.
What is the team news?
Arsenal have endured a torrid time with injuries for their centre-backs. Calum Chambers has resumed running after knee surgery but is some way off a recall, Shkodran Mustafi will return to full training at some point this month following his thigh injury while Pablo Mari's ankle should be robust enough to join in by the middle of the month at the latest. Better news on Cedric Soares (calf) and Sokratis Papastathopoulos (heel) who are back in contention.
Emil Smith Rowe's shoulder injury will keep him out until mid-October which leaves Gabriel Martinelli as the only long-term casualty, out until the end of the year at the earliest after his knee operation.
John Egan returns after suspension but Blades' centre-back Jack O'Connell has a knee ligament injury and will almost certainly be out until Easter at the earliest but it is more likely that he will miss the rest of the season. Lys Mousset, who was United's joint top-scorer last season with six goals had a toe operation at the beginning of last month and has not returned to full training. Sheffield United have strengthened up front this week by signing young striker Rhian Brewster from Liverpool. If registered by noon on Friday, he will be available to play at the Emirates.
Sheffield United, who have not scored all season in their three defeats, need David McGoldrick, Oli McBurnie, Billy Sharp or Oliver Burke to step up.
What are they saying?
Julian Bennetts identifies a key player in Mikel Arteta's Arsenal revolution:
It has been a long time since Arsenal had a manager who employed tactics quite as complex as Mikel Arteta. Arsene Wenger relied on creative expression within a loose structure, while Unai Emery….well, no-one quite worked out what the plan was there.But Arteta is ploughing through multiple formations in single matches, allowing his side to adapt to changing circumstances and making them tougher to beat. To do that, though, you need those on the pitch to carry out your instructions - and that is why Kieran Tierney is arguably Arsenal’s second most important player behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Mike McGrath takes a look at second season syndrome and consults the experts for their advice for Sheffield United:
Ipswich Town’s campaign in 2001-02 was perhaps the biggest case of second-season syndrome. George Burley had guided them into Europe following promotion from the Championship but they were relegated as they juggled the Uefa Cup with domestic football. Burley believes falling short in the race to qualify for the Europa League last season will be a blessing in disguise for Sheffield United. “Nobody could expect or think it was possible that we were going to finish fifth. The second season always seems tougher and we had the added pressure of playing in Europe on the Thursday which made it doubly difficult,” he says.
What are the odds?
Arsenal 4/7
Sheffield United 5/1
Draw 3/1
What is our prediction?
Sheffield United have lost their last six Premier League games but played well in their defeats by Wolves and Leeds. They took four points off Arsenal last season but their difficulties in scoring seriously undermines their prospects and their new defensive trio should give Arsenal's forwards some space to thrive as they get used to each other. It will be a a tough battle but a home win.
Verdict: 2-0
