ARSENAL have the chance to climb into the top three with a win against Sheffield United – and are helped with some returning stars. The Gunners host the Blades tonight looking to make it three out of the last four won. Manager Unai Emery welcomes back full-backs Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney, who both started […]
ARSENAL have the chance to climb into the top three with a win against Sheffield United – and are helped with some returning stars.
The Gunners host the Blades tonight looking to make it three out of the last four won.
Manager Unai Emery welcomes back full-backs Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney, who both started against Standard Liege in the Europa League at the start of the month.
But they are in line to make their first Premier League appearances of the season having started the campaign on the injury list.
Keeper Bernd Leno will start in goal with centre-backs David Luiz and Sokratis likely to keep their places in the starting 11.
Though in form defender Calum Chambers – who started at right-back in the Gunners 1-0 win against Bournemouth two weeks ago – is also an option to start at centre-half
In midfield Emery will likely stick with the defence minded duo of Granit Xhaka and Matteo Guendouzi with Dani Ceballos the last in the midfield three.
However, workhorse Lucas Torreira is an alternative with playmaker Mesut Ozil.
Emery’s usual 4-3-3 can be switched to a 4-2-3-1 with Torreira, Guendouzi and Xhaka all options to work in a defensive pair allowing Ozil or Ceballos to play in an advanced No10 role.
Going forward Frenchman Lacazette returns to the squad having been out for seven games since an ankle injury against Tottenham last month.
The striker is expected to start on the bench tonight, though he is deemed fit enough to be an option from the off.
It means Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is favourite to start down the middle for the fourth league game in a row.
Leaving Nicolas Pepe and rising star Bukayo Saka set to start out wide.
But if Lacazette returns up top, it could push Aubameyang out to the wing leaving Saka most likely to make way.
