Arsenal are not easing up. They win the game's first corner, which is played short before Martin Odegaard goes for goal just outside the area, but can't keep his effort down.

Alan Smith
Former Arsenal forward on Sky Sports

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal have been cutting through at will.

Declan Rice is getting forward so much more these days, it's a clever run down the channel and the ball gets a deflection to Martin Odegaard.

Now you think, how many?

Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Bramall Lane

The defiant noise the home fans were making before kick off has been replaced by a resigned murmur. They've seen this script before.

Arsenal fans, no surprise, remain in good voice.

Sheffield United escape once again! This time a ball across the face of goal just evades Kai Havertz.

A roar of encouragement from the home fans as their side attacks for the first time, Jayden Bogle getting away down the right before his cross is cut out by William Saliba.

Alan Smith
Former Arsenal forward on Sky Sports

The shape of things to come, perhaps.

Sheffield United are just hanging on, and they get away with it.

Lively start!

It has been unsurprisingly all Arsenal from kick-off and the Gunners are denied by the woodwork as Bukayo Saka smashes an effort against the bar, before Gabriel Martinelli's shot on the follow up is cleared off the line by Jack Robinson.

Looks like a long night ahead for Sheffield United...

Arsenal get things up and running.

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The players are out on the pitch. It might be starting to have the feel of a Premier League farewell tour for Sheffield United but the fans are still more than up for this, plenty of noise inside Bramall Lane.

Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Bramall Lane

Image source, Getty Images

A nice scene before kick-off, as former Sheffield United midfielder John Fleck is a guest of honour on the pitch and receives the acclaim of the crowd with his two boys.

Fleck spent eight years at United, making 256 league appearances and twice helping them get promoted to the Premier League, before departing for Blackburn in January.

The home fans getting a chance to say a proper goodbye to one of their best servants in recent years.

Sheffield United

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder, speaking to Sky Sports:

On Everton's and Nottingham Forest's point deductions: "I have got to say whatever was happening in any stage regarding point totals, your job as a professional footballer and mine as a professional manger is to go right till the end.

"Regardless of what happens, we will to till the final whistle on the final day."

On form: "We need to give the crowd something to shout about, we have not been good enough all season especially the last couple of games at home and we need to approach the game in the right way."

On Arsenal: "They're an outstanding team, I have a of admiration for them.

"We know what we are up against and nights like this should inspire players and we have to enjoy it.

"You are playing against one of the best teams in the land - Mikel has done fantastic job."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta on tonight's game: “First of all, you have to earn the right to win the games. We want to be ruthless and efficient in front of goal and I think lately we’ve been really good.

“With every team we look at the weaknesses and the strengths and try to take the game to the opponent, but I’m saying this because I know [Sheffield United] really well. I analysed them many years ago and the things that Chris did, and I learned from his teams. I’m telling you, it’s going to be a really tough match.”

Image source, BBC Sport

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?

Catastrophic feels a bit strong there, Bill. I think Arsenal would take a 90th-minute heavily deflected winner if it secured the three points.

Arsenal have won all six Premier League matches in 2024, by an aggregate score of 25-3.

Arsenal can equal their longest Premier League winning streak since Arsène Wenger retired as manager: seven from August to October 2018 under Unai Emery and from February to April 2023 under Mikel Arteta.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas says the Gunners are "a little bit too strong to be dropping point" at Sheffield United, despite the pressure that comes with playing after their title rivals on Monday night.

"It shouldn’t [affect the players] but unfortunately, mentally, it works this way," he told the Planet Premier League podcast.

"I see Arsenal at the moment as too strong. I see them confident.

"I know they lost against Porto, but I think in the Premier League nowadays they are two levels up and I believe that they know exactly what they're doing.

"I'm sure they believe, and they’re pushing from the staff point of view to win this game more than anything because these games win titles.

"It's very different to go in my day to Stoke City on Saturday three o'clock then Monday night football.

"We go back to perceptions, the night time to approach the games, the travelling, the long wait for the game, these little things, knowing exactly what the opponents have done.

"If they have won they put pressure on you.

"There's a bit of everything but, at the moment, I see Arsenal a little bit too strong to be dropping points there.”

Listen to the latest Planet Premier League podcast here.

Speaking of Wednesday, Sheffield United can perhaps draw hope from their city rivals. They looked gone in the Championship relegation zone just a couple of weeks ago but four wins from their last five games has pulled them right back into the mix.

The Blades certainly need a similar sort of upturn in form to have any sort of chance.

Sultibaba: This is one of the teams I expect Arsenal to take advantage and increase their goal difference... no disrespect to Sheffield United.