Chris Wilder outlines Oliver Arblaster plan as Sheffield United weigh up best plan of attack ahead of "big" period
Chris Wilder says Oliver Arblaster is “motoring forward” in his bid for full fitness - but suggests that Sheffield United are prioritising a big pre-season over rushing the academy graduate back into the starting XI.
With Sheffield United’s season winding down and nothing to play for in terms of promotion or relegation, thoughts have long since turned to the 2026/27 campaign and how the Blades can put things right next time around. But in the three games left, there is a school of thought amongst supporters about getting youngster Oliver Arblaster a little more up to speed.
The boyhood Blade and academy starlet is still working his way back to top gear after a 13-month absence with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, only returning to the pitch earlier this season. Since the January acquisitions of Joe Rothwell and Kalvin Phillips, plus the return to fitness of Jairo Riedewald, he has been used sparingly.
Chris Wilder outlines Oliver Arblaster plan as Sheffield United weigh up best plan of attack ahead of "big" period
But there have been cameos off the bench as well and Chris Wilder admitted recently that he was nearing a start. Wilder has admitted that he and his coaching staff have looked at the option of giving Arblaster a start or two in what remains of the season, but the focus seems to remain on a big summer to get him right for next term.
“He’s motoring forward,” Wilder said of the 22-year-old midfielder. “It's difficult because I want to give time to Joe, I want to give time to Jairo. Sydie [Peck, Arblaster’s fellow academy product] has been really good for us since he walked back in the door.
“So there’s genuine competition in there with those four. Kalvin's close to coming back as well. So my thought process would be a big pre-season for him but he’s had little cameos and I thought hr was really good when he came on the pitch on Saturday [in the win at Watford.]
“Watching him day-to-day in training, he's pushing really hard and he'll want to play, of course. But getting Joe and Jairo up to speed is key as well. They didn’t have a pre-season and hadn’t really played a lot of football before they came into us.
“But I've been delighted with them as well. I think they were really good on, on Saturday, and just gave us that nice, calming influence around the place. Because they know the game and know their way around a football pitch.
“But Blaster is going to be a big player for us next year. I’m delighted with his contributions recently and if he can contribute in the next three games then that's good for him. And he’ll go into pre-season smiling, looking at a big summer and a big season for him next year.”