Sheffield United FC vs Arsenal FC Sunday, April 11, 2021 2:00 PM EST / 19:00 GMT So, turns out Thursday's gut punch only feels like a loss, so you're stuck with me for another matchday thread. (And there was much rejoicing.) Sunday, Auba's jubilant and vivacious benchwarming personality travels with the Gunners to Bramall Lane for a date with one of the few teams even Tim Howard will think Arsenal should beat: Sheffield United sits at the bottom of the Premier League table on the basis of scoring a mere 17 goals in 30 matches. They've lost their last 4 in all competitions, tallying a single goal in that stretch. They've only managed 2 goals in a Premier League match 3 times this season. So if Arsenal can somehow keep tabs on the Blades prime scoring threat, the mighty 33yo David McGoldrick, then Arsenal stands a chance. Yeah, I know. * knocks wood * Here's the upside: Arsenal has 8 games left in the League. Counting this one 5 of those come against the current bottom 5 teams in the table, plus another against 13th place Palace. This likely won't mean enough for Arsenal to climb into automatic European qualification, but it should provide fertile ground for Arsenal to not panic over the lack of depth while they concentrate on the Europa League. Let's face it, if Arsenal can't endure The Blades without Tierney then they have much bigger worries. So in the immortal words of John Winger "C'mon, let's show a little optimism here."
Facing a side almost certain to be relegated with a huge, season defining match coming up on Thursday, I wonder if Arteta will see this as an opportunity to rotate and give opportunities to Martinelli or Mari or Pepe. Maybe even see the likes of Lopez, Azeez, Nketiah or Nelson who made the bench against Prague. Or reward Balogun for signing his new contract. I don't think Arteta will do it, but I think it would be the wiser approach.
Unfortunately, matches against relegation stugglers can be very difficult, Sheffield aside, as they have gone and are cannon fodder for most PL teams. Those games against the bottom five sides are not certain victories.
Aubameyang out with "the flu". Must have caught it from Ozil. Seriously, no one got the flu this winter. You'd think they could make up a better story. Arsenal are without Aubameyang + Smith Rowe for Sunday trip to Sheffield United — Aubameyang has flu, Smith Rowe an ankle issue. #AFC will hope they recover in time for Europa League QF 2nd leg at Slavia Prague on Thursday @TheAthleticUK #SUFC #SHUARS #UEL https://t.co/KKkO9xpRv9— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) April 10, 2021
He's been very unlucky to catch the 'flu if he's been socially distancing, there have been very few cases of 'flu in England because of the lockdown. None were reported at all between December 28th and 14th February.
Team news from the horse's mouth (with no mention of Auba, perhaps because it was before he "caught the flu"): https://www.arsenal.com/news/team-news-chambers-odegaard-smith-rowe?
✅ Team news is in… 🇧🇷 @G_Martinelli01 in attack 🇪🇸 @PabloMV5 returns 🏴 @CalumChambers95 starts #️⃣ #SHUARS— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 11, 2021 Saka at LB and Martinelli starting are the big notes for me. Not a fan of the midfield 3 at all, but with Odegaard and ESR both out, not sure if there's a better option.
Obviously not our strongest XI but as we're playing today against a club in collapse, and our entire season rests on our game in Prague in 4 days, this is a completely unsurprising lineup. And if this is how Gabi finally gets another start, so be it. I really hope he shines. BTW, those players look like a 4-3-3, not that I was expecting Mikel to switch to that from his trusty 4-2-3-1. And if he does stick with that old shape, would that mean Dani plays in a more advanced 10-ish role?? Edit: I see BBC, Google & NBC all showing us as 4-2-3-1 with Dani at #10
I despise Willian, and never wanted us to sign him, but I'd start him in the #10 position and leave Ceballos out entirely. Ceballos has been so shocking in recent weeks that I wouldn't give him another minute of game time.
Arteta is not as smart as he thinks he is. Xhaka almost just got beaten for a goal but was bailed out by McGoldrick's complete lack of ability.
The commentators are completely baffled, thinking it's some sort of hybrid, fluid back 3/back 4 that's changing. It's the same 4-2-3-1 Arteta's been playing since the holidays.
Agreed about the attackers. But about Xhaka, I remember him deputizing as CB in past seasons, but I can't remember him at FB... has he?
Beautiful, if you can abide the pollen. I may well be hiking shortly. Would be a good break before doing taxes tonight.
Last done in consecutive matches in October 2018 against Sporting and Palace. We conceded two penalties in the Palace match, so I assume it went well.
24' Martinelli with a bold move into the left side of the 18-box then blasts it into the side netting. When shoulda centered it??
Commentators just calling out our inconsistency and unpredictability from game to game, and half to half! Fair criticism for sure.