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Full Time After Extra Time This is a live match. Extra Time Half Time

Arsenal vs Sheffield United. Premier League.

Emirates StadiumAttendance60,310.

Arsenal 1

  • G Martinelli (45th minute)

Sheffield United 1

  • J Fleck (83rd minute)

Arsenal vs Sheffield United preview

Watch match highlights at 5.15pm on Saturday on skysports.com and the Sky Sports app

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A look at some of the key stats surrounding this weekend's Premier League action as Liverpool welcome Manchester United and Crystal Palace face champions Manchester City

Team news, key stats and prediction ahead of Arsenal vs Sheffield United in the Premier League on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Team news

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is suspended for Saturday's Premier League clash with Sheffield United.

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Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal's players to 'step forward' in the absence of suspended captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

The Gabon striker begins a three-match ban following his sending off at Crystal Palace last week, with the likes of Reiss Nelson and Gabriel Martinelli pushing to replace Arsenal's top goalscorer.

Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta will be stretched defensively with Calum Chambers (knee), Kieran Tierney (shoulder) and Sead Kolasinac (thigh) all out and Hector Bellerin facing a late assessment on a hamstring injury.

Chris Basham of Sheffield United battles for possession with Bukayo Saka of Arsenal
Image: Bukayo Saka featured at Bramall Lane and could face the Blades again in the left-back role with Sead Kolasinac doubtful

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has a full squad to chose from for the match at the Emirates Stadium.

Lys Mousset scored the winner against the Gunners at Bramall Lane but Oli McBurnie will hope to keep his place up front after netting the decisive goal against West Ham. Mo Besic has impressed in recent cameos and could feature if Wilder decides to make a rare midfield change.

There is likely to be a change on the bench now that Michael Verrips' concussion protocol has been served and the Dutch goalkeeper could replace Jake Eastwood as back-up to Dean Henderson.

Also See:

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Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder says he has spoken to Oli McBurnie about his future conduct, but is happy for him to watch his boyhood team Swansea play

How to follow

Follow the action with our dedicated live blog. Highlights of the game will be published at 5.15pm on Saturday on the Sky Sports website and app plus the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel.

Opta stats

  • This is the first Premier League meeting between Arsenal and Sheffield United at the Emirates Stadium since September 2006, a 3-0 win for the Gunners.
  • In the top-flight, Sheffield United are winless in their last nine away matches against Arsenal (D1 L8) since a 1-0 win in August 1971 with a goal from Stewart Scullion.
  • Sheffield United are looking for their first league double over Arsenal since the 1946-47 season, having won 1-0 against the Gunners at Bramall Lane in October.
  • Sheffield United could become the first newly-promoted team to complete a league double over Arsenal since Blackburn Rovers in the 1992-93 season.
  • Arsenal have won just one of their last seven home league games (D3 L3), though it was last time out against Manchester United. The Gunners have already lost three home league games this season, last losing more at the Emirates in a single campaign in 2010-11 (4).
  • Having been unbeaten in their first nine away league games this season, Sheffield United have lost each of their last two on the road. The Yorkshire side are also winless in their last 18 top-flight games in London (D7 L11) since winning 2-1 at Chelsea in October 1992.

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from the 1-1 draw between Crystal Palace and Arsenal

Charlie Nicholas' prediction

Sheffield United may have been drained from going to Manchester City and Liverpool over the festive period, which is no surprise.

They got lucky against West Ham last week, and there was not a comfort zone there where they looked natural and could squeeze the game. They can go and squeeze Arsenal as they take a risk at the back. If they can get at them for 20-25, they might just start to give them doubt.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is out and quite rightly, so, there is no debate about that, but Arsenal can adjust. They need more from Nicolas Pepe, but Alexandre Lacazette can turn it around for them and Mikel Arteta can ask him to be in the penalty box more. It was only a draw at Crystal Palace, but they should have had the game won in the first 45 minutes.

Arsenal are only seven points above the drop zone, and I do not see that materialising but they are closer to that than they are to Chelsea. I will go for an Arsenal win, but it will take them some time to break Sheffield United down.

CHARLIE PREDICTS: 3-1 (14/1 with Sky Bet)

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Sheffield United's victory against West Ham

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