Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has highlighted the quality throughout the Arsenal side ahead of Monday’s Premier League clash at Bramall Lane. Despite having the two-week international break to prepare his troops for the game, Wilder will have a few extra days at his disposal after the clash was selected for live TV.
That will be a boost in some respects, especially with his Republic of Ireland contingent – Enda Stevens and Callum Robinson – not yet back from featuring in a Euro 2020 qualifier in Switzerland on Wednesday.
David McGoldrick missed the Irish’s double-header because of a slight groin problem so the weekend will give him a chance to prove his fitness.
However, when looking ahead to the game against the Gunners, Wilder was quick to point out the talent in the opposition’s camp.
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Unai Emery’s side currently sit in third place in the Premier League and have lost just once of their opening eight matches.
He told his press conference: “If you look through their team, they don’t get to where they are by being bang average. “Even players like David Luiz and the captain of Switzerland [Granit Xhaka]. The Premier League player of the month [Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang]… Lacazette looks like being fit and available, and they spent £60m on a winger in the summer [Pepe]. It’s elite football and they’ve also got some players not even getting in the squad who are quite tasty, too!”
Wilder, who also rubbished recent reports that Emery’s future could be under threat at Arsenal, describing it as “a lot of noise and nonsense”.
The game will be the Blades’ chance to secure their first points at Bramall Lance since defeating Crystal Palace in their first home game of the season.
Since then, Leicester, Southampton and Liverpool have all claimed maximum points in South Yorkshire.
