Arsenal travel to Sheffield United back in the Premier League on Sunday, let’s take a look at our predicted lineup for the clash.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by John Walton - Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2021. (Photo by John Walton – Pool/Getty Images)

After the disappointment of conceding a late away goal to Slavia Prague on Thursday, Arsenal return to the Premier League, where they’re simply looking to put some points on the board at this stage.

A top-four finish appears to be off the table at this point, but even finishing in the lower European places seems almost impossible right now.

All Arsenal can do is try to put some wins together and see what happens. It looks like they’re 7/4 favorites at Sheffield United, and a win would be good for momentum if nothing else.

But Mikel Arteta also has to go into this match with the Europa League second leg in mind, resting players where appropriate, particularly after all the recent injuries.

Goalkeeper

LEEDS, ENGLAND: Bernd Leno of Arsenal in action during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road on November 22, 2020. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LEEDS, ENGLAND: Bernd Leno of Arsenal in action during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road on November 22, 2020. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Bernd Leno will likely start, and Mat Ryan will continue to make the bench. If there was ever a game to give Ryan a chance, perhaps it would be against the Premier League’s bottom club with little left to lose. But we’re not predicting that change.

Defence

Pablo Mari in training with Arsenal (Photo via Chris Wheatley on Twitter)
Pablo Mari in training with Arsenal (Photo via Chris Wheatley on Twitter)

Arteta will probably want to make some changes in defence, to keep his starters fresh for the Slavia Prague second leg. But he may be forced into picking Cedric Soares and Rob Holding anyway, due to the lack of alternatives.

The two changes he can make are at left-centre-back and right-back, where he has Pablo Mari and Calum Chambers to come in for Gabriel Magalhaes and Hector Bellerin.

Midfield

18th March 2021 Emirates Stadium, London, England UEFA Europa League Football, Arsenal versus Olympiacos Dani Ceballos of Arsenal takes on Thanasis Androutsos of Olympiakos Shaun Brooks
18th March 2021, Emirates Stadium, London, England UEFA Europa League Football, Arsenal versus Olympiacos Dani Ceballos of Arsenal takes on Thanasis Androutsos of Olympiakos. Photo: Shaun Brooks

Granit Xhaka will probably keep his place, but the other two midfield positions are up for debate.

With Martin Odegaard absent and Emile Smith Rowe just back from injury, Dani Ceballos may have to act as a makeshift replacement at 10 to spare Smith Rowe three games in a week.

Thomas Partey was sloppy against Slavia Prague, so he may well get a rest as well, with Mohamed Elneny coming in.

Forwards

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Nicolas Pepe ofArsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Arsenal at The King Power Stadium on February 28, 2021 in Leicester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND: Nicolas Pepe ofArsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Arsenal at The King Power Stadium on February 28, 2021. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

Nicolas Pepe earned a start and a chance to prove himself with his late goal on Thursday, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also made a strong argument for his inclusion in the second leg.

For now, we’re predicting them both to start against Sheffield United, to give the likes of Bukayo Saka a rest after his recent injury, but also so they can prove they’re in form for that second leg.

On the left, perhaps Gabriel Martinelli will finally get a chance in the starting lineup. Willian was fairly anonymous on Thursday, and Martinelli hasn’t started a game since January.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Sheffield United

Arsenal predicted lineup to face Sheffield United created with Chosen11.com
Arsenal predicted lineup to face Sheffield United created with Chosen11.com