After yet another quiet international break, the Premier League returns as do our beloved Arsenal, who visit Bramall Lane and take on Sheffield United on Monday night.
One thing the international break did bring for Unai Emery was the return of star forward Alex Lacazette. The Frenchman has been sidelined for a month with an ankle problem that he couldn't shake from a week or so before. He returned to full training this week though and has his focus set on making the squad for Monday night, and by being a Monday night game, it gives him that extra 48-hours to stake his claim and prove his fitness. Emile Smith-Rowe, the only other senior absentee prior to the break is also available again after a head injury suffered against Notts Forrest in the League Cup last month.
One man to not make it this weekend is Reiss Nelson after he picked up a knee injury against Standard Liege at the beginning of the month. The young Englishman should be back in action in November. Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin gained much needed minutes in a behind closed doors friendly over the break against Reading and all came through unscathed. All three are well in contention to start on Monday night. Mesut Ozil, who's finally broken his silence this week on Emery's current treatment stating he won't leave the club during his contact, also played in the friendly and he too earned some much needed minutes. Could he make the squad for Monday? Many fans would like to see him but he, like Lacazette, are the least likely to be included as it stands.
Sead Kolasinac returned from international duty fairly late in the week due to his nation's commitments so his place could be at risk with the impressive Tierney already knocking hard on the door. Emery has some real decisions to make now with all defenders fully fit, and with the likes of Chambers seemingly deserving of a place of late whilst others like Sokratis seemingly look like they need a break, it'll be tough for Emery. Add Bellerin, Holding and Tierney to the mix and its a real headache for the man in charge - but a real positive for the football club to have all their senior defenders fit.
Sheffield United on the other hand are awaiting fitness news on three first teamers who could all return. Oli McBurnie and John Fleck missed Scotland's international exploits whilst David McGoldrick has missed the last four games. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson will be full of confidence after his first senior England call up and the club will be hopeful that Enda Stevens, Callum Robertson and John Egan all return from Ireland duty fit and fresh as well.
The omens don't look great for the Gunners as history tells; the blades are unbeaten in their last four top flight home games against Arsenal, and with this in mind, the Red and White Army have played more league games at Bramall Lane without victory than they have at any other ground in the Premier League. Phil Jagielka even played in goal once and the Gunners failed to get all three points but it's time for the Arsenal of 2019 to turn it round. Turn up, get it going and earn another vital three points. Third place in the league should be the club's target now and its highly realistic in today's climate. With Spurs and Man United faltering badly, Chelsea had a sluggish start and Man City are not up to their usual standards, it's time for Emery and his team to capitalise and keep the pressure on.
Expected lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
RB: Calum Chambers
CB: Rob Holding
CB: David Luiz
LB: Kieran Tierney
CM: Granit Xhaka
CM: Matteo Guendouzi
CAM: Dani Ceballos
RW: Nicolas Pepe
ST: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
LW: Bukayo Saka
Prediction: 2-0 to Arsenal and three crucial points
@craigbennett10
One thing the international break did bring for Unai Emery was the return of star forward Alex Lacazette. The Frenchman has been sidelined for a month with an ankle problem that he couldn't shake from a week or so before. He returned to full training this week though and has his focus set on making the squad for Monday night, and by being a Monday night game, it gives him that extra 48-hours to stake his claim and prove his fitness. Emile Smith-Rowe, the only other senior absentee prior to the break is also available again after a head injury suffered against Notts Forrest in the League Cup last month.
One man to not make it this weekend is Reiss Nelson after he picked up a knee injury against Standard Liege at the beginning of the month. The young Englishman should be back in action in November. Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin gained much needed minutes in a behind closed doors friendly over the break against Reading and all came through unscathed. All three are well in contention to start on Monday night. Mesut Ozil, who's finally broken his silence this week on Emery's current treatment stating he won't leave the club during his contact, also played in the friendly and he too earned some much needed minutes. Could he make the squad for Monday? Many fans would like to see him but he, like Lacazette, are the least likely to be included as it stands.
Sead Kolasinac returned from international duty fairly late in the week due to his nation's commitments so his place could be at risk with the impressive Tierney already knocking hard on the door. Emery has some real decisions to make now with all defenders fully fit, and with the likes of Chambers seemingly deserving of a place of late whilst others like Sokratis seemingly look like they need a break, it'll be tough for Emery. Add Bellerin, Holding and Tierney to the mix and its a real headache for the man in charge - but a real positive for the football club to have all their senior defenders fit.
Sheffield United on the other hand are awaiting fitness news on three first teamers who could all return. Oli McBurnie and John Fleck missed Scotland's international exploits whilst David McGoldrick has missed the last four games. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson will be full of confidence after his first senior England call up and the club will be hopeful that Enda Stevens, Callum Robertson and John Egan all return from Ireland duty fit and fresh as well.
The omens don't look great for the Gunners as history tells; the blades are unbeaten in their last four top flight home games against Arsenal, and with this in mind, the Red and White Army have played more league games at Bramall Lane without victory than they have at any other ground in the Premier League. Phil Jagielka even played in goal once and the Gunners failed to get all three points but it's time for the Arsenal of 2019 to turn it round. Turn up, get it going and earn another vital three points. Third place in the league should be the club's target now and its highly realistic in today's climate. With Spurs and Man United faltering badly, Chelsea had a sluggish start and Man City are not up to their usual standards, it's time for Emery and his team to capitalise and keep the pressure on.
Expected lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
RB: Calum Chambers
CB: Rob Holding
CB: David Luiz
LB: Kieran Tierney
CM: Granit Xhaka
CM: Matteo Guendouzi
CAM: Dani Ceballos
RW: Nicolas Pepe
ST: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
LW: Bukayo Saka
Prediction: 2-0 to Arsenal and three crucial points
@craigbennett10
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