Arsenal face bottom-of-the-league Sheffield United as they shift their focus back to Premier League action after a massive win in the Champions League in midweek. The Gunners are back in action at Emirates Stadium after back-to-back away matches against Chelsea and Sevilla.
This is a big chance for Mikel Arteta’s side to rectify their form in the league after one of their worst performances of the season when they fortunately managed to claw back a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge. But how do they avoid an upset as Paul Heckingbottom’s side fight for points?
How Arsenal Can Avoid An Upset Against Sheffield United
Arsenal Must Attack With Intent and Be Direct
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An issue with Arsenal’s form so far this season has been their record in front of goal. They sit seventh in the goal-scoring charts and will be without their “world-class” striker in Gabriel Jesus as Arteta confirmed he will be missing “for a few weeks” with a hamstring injury.
With another issue hampering the Gunners’ hopes of lining up with their star forward line, they will have to figure out their best way of coping against the Blades.
One factor that could help them win the game would be starting Kai Havertz up front. The German international has been thrown into the action from the bench in the last two league games and has made a significant impact. Against Manchester City, he played a crucial role with his assist for Gabriel Martinelli’s winner. Then last time out against his former club Chelsea he played the striker role well as his hold-up play led to the chance that Trossard took to make it 2-2.
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Havertz’s ability to lead the line with his physicality will be important if he is picked as he has the perfect skill set to push his team up the pitch and provide space for Bukayo Saka and Martinelli to hurt opposition defences.
Get Martin Odegaard into Space in The Final Third
Captain Martin Odegaard has been struggling for form in recent weeks with subpar performances. One of the reasons for this is that the players around him have not been providing him with the time and space to dictate play in the attack.
Sheffield United will arrive in North London intent on sitting back and soaking up the pressure from Arteta’s side. One way Arsenal can put Heckingbottom’s team to the sword is by being incisive with the ball at their feet to play through the Blades’ low block. This is why it is important for them to get the Norwegian international on the ball as much as possible as he is up there with the best in the league with his chance-creating ability.
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If Arsenal want to win this game then they will need to be aggressive and direct against a stubborn Sheffield United outfit that are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table.
