Sheffield United

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Emma Smith, BBC Sport

Even by the rock-bottom standards Sheffield United have set at many points throughout this Premier League season, this was a bad one.

A sixth loss in seven league games was nailed on by the 13th minute when they fell 3-0 down and many home fans headed for the exit.

It was not just the scoreline, it was inept performance as United were ripped apart time and again by an irrepressible Arsenal side.

At half time, it once again appeared as if Sheffield United were in real danger of becoming the first Premier League side to concede 10 in a match.

United stemmed the flow in the second half with a more committed defensive display, but the damage was well and truly done.

Chris Wilder's side have 11 games to save themselves, but on this evidence there seems to be vanishingly little hope of an escape.

Arsenal cruised to a seventh successive Premier League win as they put six past a dreadful Sheffield United side at Bramall Lane.

The Gunners were 3-0 up inside 13 minutes and led 5-0 at half-time against the league's bottom side.

Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Ben White scored - with an own goal from Jayden Bogle - for Mikel Arteta's team.

The win ensures Arsenal move two points behind leaders Liverpool.

It keeps the Gunners in the thick of the title race, while in contrast Sheffield United are 11 points from safety with just 11 games remaining.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Blades fans - let us know your thoughts on another difficult evening at Bramall Lane

How did you rate the side's performance, Gunners fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

Sheffield United take on Arsenal in the Premier League at Bramall Lane in just under an hour and the team news is in.

Follow all the build-up and live text commentary here

Ben Meakin
Fan writer

What next for Rhian Brewster? With reports of yet another serious hamstring injury, it sounds like Brewster's season is once again over before he has the opportunity to make any meaningful contribution.

Objectively, his United career has been a disaster. Signed for more than £20m in 2020, he did not hit the net at all that season as the Blades were relegated from the Premier League. He showed flashes in the Championship, but serious injuries constantly disrupted any rhythm he looked to have discovered. The net result is four league goals in four seasons for United.

None of this is Brewster's fault, I should stress. Even allowing for the fact he will have been financially well-remunerated during his United contract, it is hard not to feel sympathy for a promising young footballer whose career has been completely derailed by injury.

Brewster still has a year left to run on his contract, but I have to wonder if there is a situation where both club and player come together in the summer and agree to part ways. That would be unusual - and United would need to take a financial hit - but after four stop-start years for Brewster, maybe a fresh start in fresh surroundings would be appealing to him as he once again builds back to fitness.

From United's point of view, there is almost zero chance that they would look to extend Brewster's contract beyond 2025 - it would take a miracle season next year to even render it a possibility, and Brewster's injury history suggests that will not even get the opportunity to happen.

So why keep him around, potentially occupying first-team minutes and coaching that could go towards the development of younger strikers who are part of the long-term future?

Ben Meakin can be found on BladesPod, external

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on Sam McTrusty and Ross McNae from rock band Twin Atlantic.

Sutton's prediction: 0-3

Arsenal are wiping the floor with everyone in the Premier League at the moment. Like Liverpool and Manchester City, they can't afford any stumbles in the title race but I don't anticipate them having any problems winning at Bramall Lane.

They are so superior to a Sheffield United side that lost 5-0 at the Emirates earlier in the season, when Eddie Nketiah scored a hat-trick, and they are also in excellent form.

The Blades are not going to go toe-to-toe with Arsenal and their plan will just be to try to keep them out for as long as possible. If the Gunners score early, then it could be a difficult afternoon for Chris Wilder's side.

Sam's prediction: 0-4

Ross' prediction: 0-5

See how the rest of the weekend's predictions have gone

Here are the key facts and figures before Saturday's game between Arsenal and Sheffield United in the Premier League.

• Sheffield United have lost each of their past three Premier League games against Arsenal by an aggregate score of 10-1. They had only lost two of their previous nine league games with the Gunners before this.

• Arsenal have won 6-0 at West Ham and 5-0 at Burnley in their past two Premier League away games – no side in English league history (top four tiers) has won three consecutive away games by a margin of five or more goals before.

• Sheffield United have lost 5-0 against Aston Villa and 5-0 against Brighton in their past two Premier League home games – no team in English league history (top four tiers) has lost three consecutive home games by a margin of five or more goals before.

• Arsenal have won all six of their Premier League games in 2024 by an aggregate score of 25-3. Only three teams have ever had a longer winning run from the start of a calendar year in the competition – Manchester City in 2021 (13), Liverpool in 2020 (8) and Manchester United in 2009 (9).

• Sheffield United have kept just one clean sheet in the Premier League this season, with their 66 goals conceded the most after 26 games in a top-flight campaign since Ipswich Town in 1963-64 (74).

• Sheffield United defender Anel Ahmedhodzic has ended on the losing side in 16 of his 20 Premier League appearances so far. In Premier League history, only three players have lost more of their first 20 matches: Juninho Bacuna, Josip Drmic and Oliver Burke (all 17).

Srosh Khan
BBC Sport journalist

Chris Wilder has been speaking to the media before Sheffield United's Premier League game against Arsenal at Bramall Lane on Monday.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Wilder had updates on Ben Brereton Diaz and George Baldock: "They trained yesterday and today, so I'm delighted we’ve got both those experienced boys back and involved with the group."

• On Baldock’s leadership and experience: “I think when you talk about Premier League experience, we’ve been lacking. We're absolutely delighted he's back in the group and he certainly gives us a big boost."

• He said there's no timescale on Cameron Archer's return to the team "He’s improving, as you would do with treatment. I'm sure that he won't be available before the international break, although I'll be delighted if he is."

• On Vinicius Souza's and Jack Robinson's heated exchange during the defeat by Wolves: "I get that [it's a big talking point] for media outside Sheffield, but it’s not really much of a talking point for myself involved with the football club. For me, it's not an issue as long as it got put to bed straight away."

• However, he added: "Obviously, [it's] the spotlight of the Premier League and we don't want that to happen and it’s not a good image. I totally get that and it was too close to comfort."

• On getting the balance right against third-placed Arsenal: "We can’t just sit back for 95 minutes. We might get pushed back in at times and we have to accept that, but we want to be a threat the other way and we want to put attacking players on the pitch as well."

• On the Gunners, he added: "The players they’ve got, how they’ve built and kept evolving to put them in a position where they are is not a fluke. They're massively in the title race but, for us, we are trying to dress it up as a cup match."

• On being tempted to select academy players: "I suppose there a few people who want us to chuck them in but I’ve just got to get the balance right. Maybe if we were playing with more belief and confidence that would ease them in a little bit easier, but it’s still a situation that’s a difficult one to deal with. If I feel the time is right, then I know I’m bold and brave enough to do it."

The key lines from all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences

Listen to the full news conference on BBC Sounds

Ben Meakin
Fan writer

The most positive news stories around Sheffield United this season have concerned the future - unsurprisingly, given the state of the present - and there was another bit of good news this week as the club confirmed a long-term deal for youngster Oliver Arblaster.

They may play different positions but the parallels with club legend Billy Sharp are hard to ignore. Like Sharp, Arblaster is a local lad, a Blades fan and already into his second decade with United despite not turning 20 for a few more months.

Fittingly, there also exists a heart-warming photo of Sharp celebrating a goal a few years ago by high-fiving the United ball boy - who is, of course, young Arblaster.

Arblaster, who had a successful loan to League One side Port Vale earlier this season, is not just highly thought-of, he stands on the verge of an opportunity to quickly become part of the first-team squad. With his new deal freshly inked, it is only a matter of time before he makes his Premier League debut.

And with United currently set to have only three senior midfielders on the books beyond this summer, there is every chance that Arblaster could lock up a starting spot of his own by the time the 2024-25 season kicks off.

Ben Meakin can be found at BladesPod, external

We asked you for your thoughts on Vinicius Souza and Jack Robinson's on-field argument in Sheffield United's 1-0 loss to Wolves. Here are some of your comments...

Eric: It was handbags', nothing serious. Nice to see a bit of passion and pride in the club. People making mountains out of molehills.

Pete: As usual it's Sheffield United, so blown out of all proportion. You used to see worse in the playground years ago. At best it was handbags, but if it gives pundits a chance to criticise the Blades they go for it.

Rakka: Lovely bit of passion there lads. Don’t take it too far, and up the Blades!

Thom: Robinson is a loose cannon that we could do without!

Sheffield United duo Jack Robinson and Vinicius Souza were involved in a heated on-field argument during the first half of Sunday's 1-0 Premier League loss at Wolves.

Blades manager Chris Wilder said he was "not going to be too critical" of the disagreement... as long as it doesn't overstep the line".

On the BBC's Football Daily podcast former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker said: "You can have those moments but you keep it behind closed doors in the dressing room."

What are your thoughts?

Have your say on the incident here

We asked you for your thoughts on Sunday's Premier League match between Wolves and Sheffield United.

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Tim: I know a lot of fans are complaining about the performance, but we have struggled all season against teams who 'park the bus'. We did enough in the first half to win the game, and the result confirms we are fighting on two fronts - for European qualification and in the FA Cup.

Jase: A comfortable first half with lots of possession and a great goal, but better finishing by United could have dented that. Second half we were a shambles; lethargic and not running to create space. Sheffield were lucky not to take at least a point. Our changes came far too late. Hwang Hee-chan was off pace and Mario Lemina's legs were heavy.

Paul: Fortunate to pick up three points after a flat performance but up to eighth. Wolves remain under the radar, but Europe is now an outside possibility.

John: It’s been such a positive season but any criticisms I could have of the team came in that second half. Never woke up and were lucky to not be punished. Still, a win is a win, and I’d never have believed we’d have an outside chance of Europe at the start of the season!

Sheffield United fans

Peter: Terrible. Team-mates nearly fighting - get rid of them and get rid of Chris Wilder.

Andy: Thought we were great and I was disappointed not to at least get a draw. We just have to get our heads down and battle away.

Mike: Overall a better performance from the Blades but yet again a straightforward cross into our box wasn't dealt with and we conceded. We should have significantly strengthened the defence in January but missed the opportunity.

Green: Awful in the first half but created lots of chances in the second half. Not clinical enough - really need Ben Brereton-Diaz and Cameron Archer back.

We asked you for your thoughts on Sunday's Premier League match between Wolves and Sheffield United.

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Tim: I know a lot of fans are complaining about the performance, but we have struggled all season against teams who 'park the bus'. We did enough in the first half to win the game, and the result confirms we are fighting on two fronts - for European qualification and in the FA Cup.

Jase: A comfortable first half with lots of possession and a great goal, but better finishing by United could have dented that. Second half we were a shambles; lethargic and not running to create space. Sheffield were lucky not to take at least a point. Our changes came far too late. Hwang Hee-chan was off pace and Mario Lemina's legs were heavy.

Paul: Fortunate to pick up three points after a flat performance but up to eighth. Wolves remain under the radar, but Europe is now an outside possibility.

John: It’s been such a positive season but any criticisms I could have of the team came in that second half. Never woke up and were lucky to not be punished. Still, a win is a win, and I’d never have believed we’d have an outside chance of Europe at the start of the season!

Sheffield United fans

Peter: Terrible. Team-mates nearly fighting - get rid of them and get rid of Chris Wilder.

Andy: Thought we were great and I was disappointed not to at least get a draw. We just have to get our heads down and battle away.

Mike: Overall a better performance from the Blades but yet again a straightforward cross into our box wasn't dealt with and we conceded. We should have significantly strengthened the defence in January but missed the opportunity.

Green: Awful in the first half but created lots of chances in the second half. Not clinical enough - really need Ben Brereton-Diaz and Cameron Archer back.

Image source, Getty Images

Former West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker says Vinicius Souza and Jack Robinson should have had their heated exchange in the dressing room and "away from the public eye".

The two Blades players squared up to each other during the first half of their defeat to Wolves, in a moment of embarrassment for the visitors.

"You can have those moments but you keep it behind closed doors in the dressing room," said Reo-Coker on the Football Daily Podcast.

"You can exchange words in a respectful manner and not let it boil over like that because once you do that in front of your opponents and away from home, it means they have got you.

"I'm not against it, but I would rather it was handled in a better way away from the public eye.

"Sheffield United fans will look at that and say they're two players showing passion, commitment and care to each other, but the better way to do that is behind closed doors."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Jason Mohammad introduces highlights and analysis from Sunday's Premier League match between Wolves and Sheffield United.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to BBC Radio 5 Live's match commentary in full on BBC Sounds:

Wolves v Sheffield United

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder speaking to BBC Match Of The Day: "We didn't just stay in the game in the second half, we were more than a match for the opposition.

"I thought the players showed tremendous character. The team gave everything today, but we need to find that better moment, which they found for that goal and which we could not find for the second half.

"We are up against a team which turned Spurs over last week, an established Premier League club which doesn't need to build through the season. I want to make sure we can compete, but also have a threat at the other end."

On the clash between Souza and Robinson: "I'm not going to be too critical as long as it doesn't overstep the line."

Speaking to Sky Sports about the clash between Jack Robinson and Vini Souza in the first half: "You can imagine my response to that. It is a passionate game, we don't want to see that every week but if it takes something like that to get them going, I'm happy."

• Pablo Sarabia's opener was Wolves' 40th goal in the Premier League this season - with today being their 26th league this is the quickest they've hit 40 goals in a top-flight campaign since 1971-72 (23rd game).

• Sheffield United have now conceded 66 goals after 26 matches played in the Premier League this season, the most any Premier League team has ever conceded at this stage and the most at this stage of a top-flight season since Ipswich Town in 1963/64 (74 after 26 matches). The Blades have also conceded 27 goals in the first half of Premier League matches this season, the most of any team in the competition.

• Wolves have now won as many Premier League matches (11) this season after 26 games played as they managed in the entirety of their last campaign. They’ve only reached 11 wins quicker in the Premier League in two previous seasons (2018-19 after 25 matches & 2021-22 after 23 matches). Their 40 goals scored is also nine more than they managed last term (31).

• Wolves are now up to eighth in the Premier League table following today's victory, their highest placing in the competition since May 21st 2022 (also eighth, after 37 games).

• Vinicius Souza won four of his five tackle attempts today for Sheffield United. It is the seventh different Premier League match in which he has won 4 or more tackles this season, the most of any player in the competition.

• Rayan Ait-Nouri provided his first Premier League assist of the season for Wolves’ opening goal, with what was his first big chance created of the campaign and the 17th different chance he has created this term. Ait-Nouri had gone 55 league matches without providing an assist for Wolves before today.