Key events
Some nice things Today you can read it in our football section. Jonathan Wilson, Sid Lowe, the crowd:
Henrik Larsson’s conversation with Michael Butler is also a must read:
“The last time I was at Bramall Lane “We won 5-0 with Arsenal,” writes Michael Bowman via email. “Admittedly it was in the 1978 FA Cup and we had Malcolm McDonald.
“I was accused of being a Southerner; I guess they might have chosen my New Zealand accent.”
Marcus Christenson
Manchester City have said they have a “clear strategy” for their women’s team after granting coach Gareth Taylor a contract extension until 2027.
Taylor, who was appointed head coach in 2020, has been under pressure at times during his tenure, but the team sits level on points with Chelsea at the top of the Women’s Super League and has reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and the semi-finals of the League Cup this season.
Speaking of the Premier League title racehere’s Barney Ronay on Phil Foden.
Any thoughts on tonight’s game? You can send me an email.
“We believe it is the right thing to dosaid Arteta about sticking with an unchanged team for tonight.
Next question: What is he most excited about given Arsenal’s strong recent form?
“The consistency we showed, the strength of the defense, the aggressiveness and determination. We generated (created) a lot.”
Mikel Arteta I also chatted to the TV men, with Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher on duty as pundits this evening.
“They made some changes during games,” Arteta says of Sheffield United and Wilder’s reputation for creativity in his formations.
“We have to be adaptable. Players have to be adaptable and understand where the space is going to be.”
Carragher asks: What is it like to watch City and Liverpool win and then have to play on a Monday night? “There are a lot of changes at the moment,” says Arteta. You watch the games and hope for certain results, but we have to focus on what we can control.”
A smiling Chris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, chats to Sky Sports: “I have to say whatever happened in terms of the total points (possible deductions for Everton and Forest), your job as a professional footballer is to see it through to the end… we will get to the final whistle on the last day.
“We need to give our supporters something to be happy about. We haven’t been good enough all season, especially in the last few home games.
“It’s great (to have George Baldock back on the bench) … players like Tom Davies and Oli McBurnie – they’ve played in this division and know what nights like this are about.
“I know how the place can get going on nights like this… we need to create a platform in the game… we need to get off to a good start.”
teams
Two changes to the hosts: Oli McBurnie and Tom Davies are coming. The Arsenal are unchanged since their 4-1 win over Newcastle in their last game, with Thomas Partey on the bench, available again after a long-term injury.
Sheffield United: Grbic, Ahmedhodzic, Trusty, Robinson, Bogle, Norwood, Vinicius Souza, Hamer, Tom Davies, McAtee, McBurnie. Substitute: Baldock, Brereton, Foderingham, Osborn, Arblaster, Larouci, Osula, Brooks, Peck.
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli. Substitute: Ramsdale, Partey, Gabriel Jesus, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Cedric, Trossard, Vieira, Nelson.
Referee: Sam Barrott
preamble
Manchester City is on the move. Jürgen Klopp’s relaunched Liverpool 3.0 has also taken on serious form. Arsenal’s win at Sheffield United tonight is therefore non-negotiable if they want to maintain their grip on the top flight.
The Gunners have themselves enjoyed a productive run, mind you, and three points at Bramall Lane tonight would mean a seventh successive league win for Mikel Arteta’s side. There is also good news in the fitness department: the general in central midfield, Thomas Partey, will be back for the first time since October.
February was an extremely mixed day for the Blades. They picked up a win against relegation rivals Luton, but conceded five goals at home not once but twice: first against Villa, then against Brighton. (They also scored five goals at home to the Seagulls in the FA Cup at the end of January.)
They lead the Premier League table with 13 points, level with 19th-placed Burnley, but have played a game less. Things are looking bleak, but could Chris Wilder have something up his sleeve to put a little pressure on title-chasing Arsenal?
Kick-off: 8pm UK time
