Sheffield United: The depth of research into Arsenal is revealed

Twenty-four hours before tonight's meeting with Arsenal, George Baldock's eyes were still glued to his phone.
Sheffield United's George Baldock and Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace: Simon Bellis/SportimageSheffield United's George Baldock and Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Sheffield United's George Baldock and Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

The email, detailing Sheffield United's pre-match schedule, had already been noted. The requests for complimentary tickets, even though the fixture is being broadcast live on television, sifted through and dealt with days earlier. But the notification bleeps emanating from the wing-back's mobile confirmed there was still work to do. It involved studying footage of Unai Emery's players, highlighting their major strengths and weaknesses, compiled by United's performance analysts. And, given the calibre of the opposition, Baldock knew that absorbing the information was absolutely crucial.

"We are playing against some really good players who can switch their game up, so you are not going to know everything about them," he said. "It is just small things in knowing what turns they like to do and what movements they like to do. Knowing what foot they are is a given, but any little percentage to combat how they play and give you the upper hand is invaluable really. So far in these eight games, it has really helped so far. I will continue to do it for rest of my career."

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United and Arsenal, ranked 13th and third respectively before the weekend's round of games, both subscribe to the theory that defence is the best form of attack; meaning their latest encounter promises to be an enthralling affair. But the emphasis Wilder and Emery place on trying to build pressure means the performances of players like Baldock, not Oli McBurnie or Patrick-Emerick Aubameyang, could decide the outcome. The video vignettes analyst Mike Allen and his staff produce inside their bolthole at the Steelphalt Academy have formed a crucial part of United's preparations. Big games, Baldock conceded, are settled by small details.

"The guys upstairs are brilliant and send us clips all the time," he continued. "They are team clips and positives and negatives like a lot of clubs will do. They go into a lot of detail and work hard. I am not doing to let them do all that hard work and then not watch them. It has really helped me and all staff always got time for you if want to go through clips. They are always there to help and it has been really good and I will continue to do it."

After helping United win promotion from the Championship last season, Baldock is now eight games into his career as a Premier League footballer. But the competition's reach and in-depth coverage means August's trip to AFC Bournemouth did not mark a step into the unknown.

"Because it is my first time in Premier League, I have watched players in it my whole life, so I've got an idea about what they are like and how they play," Baldock said. "The one change I have made is that I look into my opponent a little bit more and try and see if there are things I haven’t seen on television I go through things with (assistant manager) Alan Knill to see if there's things to improve my game and try and counteract some top-quality opposition. It is so important that you have to take everything in and not be fazed by who you are playing against, but also give respect, know what you up against and know how to stop them."