Sheffield United have already shown the big boys they are dangerous opponents
If we did not know it before, we know it now. No Premier League game is a walkover, home or away.
Norwich City and Wolves against Man City, Newcastle and Brighton v Tottenham, West Ham, Crystal Palace and Newcastle against Man Utd and Sheffield United at Chelsea have all shown that any team on any day can get a result against any of the top-six. Well, apart from against Liverpool that is.
This season Sheffield United have come from 2-0 down at Chelsea to draw 2-2 and they beat Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park. They have also had good draws with Bournemouth, Watford and beaten Crystal Palace.
If Arsenal plays to their very best then they will win but any drop off in performances and Sheff Utd will pounce. The top clubs cannot step off the gas against so-called inferior teams.
The Blades will be well-drilled, they will target the weak areas, they will look to counter-attack and play hard football. Nothing Arsenal is not used to but the sort of tactics that have ruffled Unai Emery’s feathers previously.
One good thing is that Emery will probably be attack-minded, which serves Arsenal better. If it was a top-six opponent then the Spaniard would be conservative and that does not suit Arsenal.
A lot will depend on team line-ups. But even then, as long as Arsenal cut out the mistakes, play to their own strengths and not the strengths of their opponents then three points are there for the taking. Underestimate Sheffield United in any way and lose focus and concentration and it will be a loss of points.