Sheffield Utd vs Arsenal LIVE: Team news, line ups confirmed, FA Cup quarter-final latest

SHEFFIELD UTD vs ARSENAL | LIVE!

• Arsenal have won just one of their past eight away matches against Sheffield United in all competitions

• The Gunners have gone on to win the FA Cup in three of the six seasons they have knocked out Sheffield United

• Eddie Nketiah has scored in all four of his domestic cup appearances this season for Leeds United and Arsenal, netting four goals

Sheffield United XI: Henderson, Robinson, Egan, Basham, Stevens, Baldock, Norwood, Fleck, Lundstram, McBurnie, McGoldrick

Arsenal: Martinez, Mustafi, Tierney, Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Willock, Kolasinac, Pepe, Lacazette, Saka

The bosses

Blades boss Chris Wilder sounds optimistic today. He’s just given an interview with BT Sport and said his boys have enjoyed a ‘couple of great days of training’ with virtually a full squad.

Mikel Arteta, as you may have expected, didn’t want to dwell on the inclusion of David Luiz. Nor did he want to discuss how his side were set up today. Tight-lipped to say the least.

D’ya remember

Sheffield United and Arsenal last met in the FA Cup in March 2005 in a fifth-round replay; after a goalless draw, the Gunners won 4-2 on penalties.

Now I remember this match purely because of the Neil Warnock documentary, aptly named ‘Warnock’.

If you haven’t seen it – head over to YouTube and you can watch the whole thing for free. You won’t regret it. Although if you don’t like swearing – perhaps you will regret it.

On the grapevine

So it turns out that there’s more to this David Luiz story, according to the Telegraph.

The Brazilian centre-back signed a new 12 month contract earlier this week and naturally everyone posted every meme they’d ever seen to display their dismay.

But it turns out Luiz was offered a new deal at Arsenal because he agreed to a significant reduction in his £120,000-a-week salary.

Does that make his stay more acceptable? Let me know what you think through the usual channels.

I would have thought getting rid of him completely would have saved more on wages… but that’s just me.

What’s on?

Quite an offering of football on the menu today starting at Bramall Lane. After that we’ll head over to the King Power as Leicester host Chelsea, that one starts at 4pm.

The final FA Cup clash is between two of the league’s most stylish managers – Pep Guardiola and Steve Bruce – with the semi-final draw taking place at HT.

There’s also the small matter of Watford’s fight against relegation. They welcome Southampton to Vicarage Road looking to distance themselves from Aston Villa, Bournemouth and West Ham. Nigel Pearson isn’t getting relegated. He just won’t allow it. The man has fought wolves in the wilderness.

Twitter reaction

San: WTF! What is up with that line up about!??? Is that Unai Emery in disguise as Mikel Arteta!?

Ally: Oli McBurnie, given service can bully those two CBs. Think Arsenal will carry massive counter attacking threat, Robinson is a massive worry against the Gunners front 3. Great chance, both sides will fancy their chances!

Bill: I really don’t understand why Arsenal keep chucking David Luiz in their backline when he very evidently cannot defend.

Try giving him another 12 months contract, Bill. Then you’ll really be confused.

Team news – Sheffield United

Manager Chris Wilder has made three changes to his side for this afternoon’s FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal.

Goalkeeper Dean Henderson returns in goal, while John Egan and Oli McBurnie also return to the side.

Team news – Arsenal

Mikel Arteta makes FIVE changes from the side who beat Southampton.

The Spanish tactician gives striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a rest with Alexandre Lacazette replacing him in the starting XI.

Elsewhere Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Joe Willock and Sead Kolasinac are brought in for Dani Ceballos, Hector Bellerin, Eddie Nketiah.

And there’s also a start for man, myth, legend David Luiz after his dismissal against Manchester City. He’s in for Rob Holding.

Oh… no Mesut Ozil in the squad. Not actually sure that can be considered news these days…

The starting XI…

Strong sides these. Very strong sides.

Sheffield United XI: Henderson, Robinson, Egan, Basham, Stevens, Baldock, Norwood, Fleck, Lundstram, McBurnie, McGoldrick.

Subs: Jagielka, Zivkovic, Mousset, Moore, K. Freeman, L. Freeman, Sharp, Osborn, Berge.

Arsenal: Martinez, Mustafi, Tierney, Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Willock, Kolasinac, Pepe, Lacazette, Saka.

Subs: Macey, Bellerin, Sokratis, Holding, Smith, Ceballos, Nelson, Nketiah, Aubameyang.

Afternoon…

Hello folks and welcome to our LIVE coverage of Sheffield United vs Arsenal from Bramall Lane.

So… it’s FA Cup weekend. What a treat.

If you’re looking for all-out enthusiasm for the competition then I’m afraid you’ve stumbled into the wrong blog.

It’s just not for me.

And now that your expectations are suitably lowered – let’s get this show on the road.

The Blades are goalless in their last three Premier League fixtures and look to be running out of steam. Arsenal… well how to describe Mikel Arteta’s side.

They overcame a very difficult week with a comfortable victory over Southampton a few days ago – but hit remains to be seen whether they’ve turned the corner completely.

Should have some team news for you shortly folks. Standby.