Sheffield United fans won’t be expecting much from facing Arsenal next Monday as it is but the task looks like it’s just got even harder.
The Gunners travel to Bramall Lane in superb form. Mikel Arteta’s side hammered Newcastle at the weekend to continue their remarkable run of goals and wins.
United, meanwhile, lost to Wolves despite putting in a better performance and there’ll be an element of the clash with Arsenal as being something of a ‘free hit’ for the players.
However, any hope United did have of getting a surprise result has been made harder with news coming from Arsenal’s camp.
According to The Evening Standard, experienced duo Thomas Partey and Oleksandr Zinchenko are set to return to the squad for the clash with the Blades. The pair have missed recent weeks but are hoping to step up their fitness this week in order to make the squad this weekend.
Those two being back, added to the return of Gabriel Jesus in the squad against Newcastle, means the Gunners could have three huge players back for the trip to Sheffield.
Arsenal boost is typical of Sheffield United’s season
As if the game wasn’t hard enough already, Arsenal go and get some of their best players back and ready to take on the Blades.
For Chris Wilder, it won’t matter too much. The preparation will be the same as it would have been it just means there’s a few more options to potentially contend with.
In a way, Arsenal will be seeing this game as one they will likely walk to three points in. That, in essence, might play into United’s hands.
It would about sum things up this season if United managed to pull a win off from here. Indeed, it would be quite hilarious if we managed to impact the title race.
Of course, it’s wishful thinking, but you never know.