Sheffield United are wary of claims about Arsenal

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s suspension does not make Sheffield United favourites to beat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, Chris Wilder has admitted, after noting the wealth of talent at Mikel Arteta’s disposal.
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Aubameyang, the former Borussia Dortmund centre-forward, will miss tomorrow’s match after the Londoners elected not to appeal his sending-off against Crystal Palace last weekend.

Although the Gabon international’s absence has weakened Arteta’s attacking options, Wilder reminded the Basque can still call upon some of the most expensive talent in the country.

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Alexandre Lacazette, a £46m signing from Lyon, Brazil under-23 international Gabriel Martinelli and Nicolas Pepe, who cost £72m when he left Lille last year, all featured in the Arsenal squad which lost 1-0 at Bramall Lane earlier this term.

“Whoever they bring in for Auba is going to be a world class footballer,” Wilder said. “I saw a report in midweek looking at the value of players.

“One club was at the bottom and another was quite high up.”

“They’ve got some really good young players too, like Martinelli, who have come into the group this year,” Wilder added. “Whatever team they play, it’s going to be a really strong one.”

United, in sixth, reported a clean bill of health when Wilder’s players returned to training on Monday following last week’s victory over West Ham. Arsenal are 10th having been held to a draw at Selhurst Park.

“We came through that okay,” Wilder said. “Everyone is fine.”