Chris Wilder demands grit as Sheffield United brace for Arsenal clash

Rob Fleming
1 March 2024

Sheffield United's Chris Wilder has insisted there are "no free hits" in the Premier League and demanded a competitive performance from his players when they face title challengers Arsenal on Monday.

Few will be backing the rock-bottom Blades when Mikel Arteta's high-flying side visit Bramall Lane looking to build on form that has seen them score 25 goals in their last six league matches.

But with time running out for United to get the results they would need to save themselves, Wilder is clear about what he wants to see.

"We have to produce a performance that represents ourselves, our football club, and that the supporters are proud of," he said.

"We haven't had enough of those this season and we have to produce more of those than not, so there are no free hits regardless of the opposition.

"Of course the bookies and people in the game will have us down as the whipping boys on Monday night, we understand that, but the game is not always built like that and results aren't decided before the game on league position.

"They go in as favourites, we understand that, but we have to show we're capable of being competitive and trying to get a result out of the game."

Arsenal suffered a setback in the Champions League last week, losing 1-0 away to Porto, but they have won their last six in a row in the league to sit just two points behind leaders Liverpool in a title race also including Manchester City that could go to the wire.

"They are flying, but what would you rather do?" Wilder said. "Play in a Championship game on Monday night or play Arsenal in front of the world, playing world-class players and a team absolutely flying?

"They've improved year on year and they deserve the position they are in now. I know where I'd rather be and I'm sure the players will have that same attitude."

Wilder added that these are the sorts of fixtures that he and his players, many of whom have spent time in the lower divisions, had been working towards throughout their careers.

"There are a couple, (James) McAtee and Cam Archer, who were brought up (in the Premier League) but the majority have had to work their way up and do a lot of things right," he said.

"They could have turned it in with five games to go last year and stayed in the Championship, but they didn't and the club earned the right to play in the Premier League.

"We are all frustrated and disappointed, before me and now, with the league position and the points total but we've got to try and focus on the next game. This is where you want to be, pitting yourselves against the best players, and the players are up for it."