As if Sheffield United’s season couldn’t get much worse, the Blades welcome high-flying Arsenal to Bramall Lane on Monday night.
Chris Wilder’s side are rock bottom of the table and in a week where Everton saw their points deduction changed to just six, things have got even harder for United in terms of survival.
For Arsenal, things couldn’t be further from how United are fairing. Mikel Arteta’s side have scored 19 goals in their last four games alone, smashing six past West Ham and five past Burnley, before hammering Newcastle last weekend in a game that could have been more than four.
United, then, know they are in for a tough evening under the lights and former Gunner Paul Merson has predicted somewhat a usual story for United.
Paul Merson predicts Sheffield United v Arsenal
Writing his usual weekly predictions for Sportskeeda, former Arsenal forward Merson is under no illusions as to who is coming out on top this weekend.
Indeed, Merson has been kind to United, suggesting a 3-0 score line, but admitted in his prediction that the score could really be anything.
“I can’t see anything but an Arsenal win here. After successive defeats to Fulham and West Ham United in late 2023, I thought the Gunners’ title challenge would fizzle out, but they’ve been absolutely magnificent since the turn of the year and are scoring goals for fun! Again, I’ll stop at three, but I think it could be any score line here. Arsenal have a good balance to their team and will look to score early as they have in most of their games in recent weeks,” Merson said.
United were hammered 5-0 at The Emirates earlier in the season when Paul Heckingbottom was still in charge.
However, United did beat Arsenal under Chris Wilder at Bramall Lane in the 19/20 season, when Lys Mousset got the winner. Arsenal have, however, won all five meetings since.
Blades fans will consider anything other than a hammering this Monday a success of sorts.
But, it is football and there are always twists and turns and while Arsenal have a superior team, Bramall Lane under the lights can be a special occasion.