Know Your Opponent: Sheffield United

In League One just a few seasons ago, Sheffield United have not felt out of place back in the Premier League thus far. Their near draw halting Liverpool’s winning streak aside, Arsenal’s opponent on Monday have settled into a comfortable 13th place in the table.

Sheffield is level on points with Manchester United and has one of the best defenses in the league. However, they’ve only picked up one result at home so far this season (from four matches) and is averaging under a goal a match in the attack. Here’s a deeper look the club:

Last Season: The Blades finished second in the Championship table earning an automatic promotion. They finished with 26 wins from 46 matches and just five points behind league winners Norwich City. Sheffield United dropped out of both Cups last year at the first attempt - losing to Barnet in the 3rd round of the FA Cup and on penalties to Hull City in the first round of the League Cup.

Manager: Chris Wilder joined Sheffield United at the end of the 2014/15 season and won League One in his first attempt. Now having led the Blades through two promotions, Wilder signed a new three-year contract this past summer. As a player, Wilder appeared 105 times for the club between 1986 and 1992, along with a one season reunion in 1998/99.

Ground: Opened in 1855, Bramall Lane boasts the honor of being the oldest stadium still actively hosting professional matches. Renovated nearly ten times during that span, the ground now holds over 32,000. Bramall Lane hosted an England international match for the first time in 1883.

Series History: Played 113 times, with 48 wins by Arsenal, 39 victories by Sheffield United, and 26 draws. The two sides haven’t met since a 6-0 victory to the Gunners back in 2008 in the League Cup. However, the last time the clubs faced off in the Premier League, Sheffield won 1-0 back in December 2006.

Transfers In: Center forward Oliver McBurnie was the headline signing at £20m. Lys Mousset joined from Bournemouth, winger Callum Robinson, and Phil Jagielka returned to the club after a 2007 move to Everton. Sheffield also picked up Manchester United keeper Dean Henderson and defensive midfielder Muhamed Bešić from Everton on loan.

Transfers Out: The majority of exits over the summer were through the expiration of contracts for a number of players. Forward Ched Evans was the only player sold. He moved to League One side Fleetwood Town.

Injuries: Forwards Oli McBurnie (knee) & David McGoldrick (groin), and midfielder John Fleck.

Form: Sheffield has just one win in their last six matches. However, most Premier League fans will remember the Blades nearly breaking Liverpool’s winning streak back in September. A gaff by the keeper allowed Liverpool to escape with a 1-0 win. United has only scored two goals in their last five matches across all competitions. But Sheffield is tied for the best defense in the Premier League, having only allowed in seven goals from the first eight match days.

Last Match: 0-0 draw on the road against Watford.

Player Stats: Seven different players have scored for the Blades during the current campaign, but no one has a second goal yet. The same applies for assists. Chris Wilder has kept the majority of his lineup in the Premier League the same, with eight players starting all eight matches. Add in eight appearances by forwards Callum Robinson and Oli McBurnie, to indicate a fairly consistent starting XI and formation.

Arsenal travel to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United on Monday (10/21) at 3:00 pm ET / 12:00 pm PT on NBCSN.