Arsenal vs. Sheffield United: Premier League - Predicted Lineup & Bench

Following back-to-back wins, Arsenal’s hot run to kick off 2020 came to a halt against Crystal Palace. The Gunners gave up a 1-0 lead and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang received a red card which will rule him out for the next three games. However, Mikel Arteta has guided Arsenal to three games in a row without a defeat, which wasn’t a frequent sight in 2019.

On Saturday, the club host Sheffield United who sit four points and four places above Arsenal in the Premier League table. Sheffield only have two defeats in their last eight matches - against Liverpool and Manchester City, but have the second lowest goals scored tally in the top half of the table. Facing a key suspension and dealing with a series of defensive injuries, how will Mikel Arteta line up against United?

Check out the gallery below for the predicted starting XI versus Sheffield United.

Grid View

• Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
• Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
• Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
• Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
• Photo by Tess Derry/PA Images via Getty Images
• Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
• Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
• Photo by Harriet Lander/Copa/Getty Images
• Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
• Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
• Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images

Notes on the XI

• With Aubameyang out for the next three matches, Lacazette, Pepe and Ozil remain safe locks to lead the Arsenal attack. The fourth spot is between Nelson, Gabriel Martinelli who is returning from injury and Eddie Nketiah who appears to be staying with the club following a infrequently used loan at Leeds United. I’m thinking Nelson gets the nod, as he’s been used more often under Arteta than Emery, and rewarded that confidence with the winner in the FA Cup.
• In the middle of the park, Xhaka is a lock to start, but Lucas Torreira’s status as 100% is still up for debate. If he is fully fit I’d expect him to start, but unless we see the club confirm that on Friday, Guendouzi likely gets the role alongside Granit.
• Sead Kolasinac has been ruled out of the Sheffield United match, meaning Saka fills in as left back once again. While on the other side, until we see Hector Bellerin back in the starting XI, Maitland-Niles is the defacto right back with Hector on the bench.

Bench

1. Emiliano Martinez
2. Rob Holding
3. Hector Bellerin
4. Lucas Torreira
5. Dani Ceballos
6. Joe Willock
7. Gabriel Martinelli

How to watch

Saturday (1/18) at 10:00 am ET / 7:00 am PT on NBC Sports.