Arsenal travel to sinking Sheffield United with a top six finish in mind

The Gunners’ season ambitions have changed drastically throughout recent years, but this season it looks as if Arsenal will have an uphill battle on their hands if they want to avoid their worst league finish in 25 years.

The North London side sit 11^th in the Premier League before they travel to Brammall Lane on Sunday evening, however they will have Europa League on their mind ahead of Thursday night’s trip to the Czech Republic.

Mikel Arteta and his men have plenty of work left to do against a Slavia Prague side who would not lie down in their fixture at The Emirates last week, with a late equaliser and away goal ruling out Nicolas Pepe’s earlier finish to put a damper on Arsenal’s trophy hopes this season.

With Thursday’s game in mind, Arteta is likely to make numerous changes to his starting line-up ahead of a huge game coming up on Thursday. Gabriel Martinelli could be one of a few players to come into the side for their trip to Sheffield, with the teenager looking sharp when he featured off the bench last week.

Kieran Tierney will remain absent on Sunday having picked up a knee injury with a damaged ligament last week, meaning that The Gunners will be left short of options in the fullback position with Cedric and Hector Bellerin the only real options.

One Arsenal player who was dropped to the bench on Thursday is captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who has struggled for form recently. Arteta will most likely start the Arsenal talisman on Sunday however, with the matchup against Sheffield United the perfect chance for the winger to grab a goal and turn his form around before the run in of the season.

Sheffield United on the other hand will be hoping for an upset on Sunday, with their hopes of survival looking more and more bleak with each game that passes. The Blades’ fate looks all but sealed ahead of their game at the weekend with Chris Wilders’ side destined for the drop as they sit bottom of the Premier League table.

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