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Football London
Football London
Sport
Rob Guest

Confirmed Arsenal XI vs Sheffield United: David Luiz returns, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang benched

Mikel Arteta has named his starting XI for this afternoon's FA Cup quarter-final clash between Arsenal and Sheffield United.

David Luiz returns to the starting XI following his suspension for his red card at Man City, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles handed a rare start in the team.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is named on the bench as Alexandre Lacazette leads the line.

The Gunners will travel to Bramall Lane full of confidence following their much-needed 2-0 victory over Southampton on Thursday evening.

Chris Wilder's side, on the other hand, have struggled since the Premier League restart after drawing at Aston Villa and suffering convincing 3-0 defeats against both Newcastle United and Manchester United.

However, league form will go out of the window for the cup clash in South Yorkshire as both look to advance and seal a place in the final four of the famous competition.

"We are very excited," Arteta said at his pre-match press conference. "It is a competition that is very linked to this football club - that has won it more times than anybody else in this country.

"The players are excited, having the chance to go to Wembley even if it's empty, it's such a special occasion so we'll try hard.

"We're going to face a difficult opponent for sure but the boys are excited about it."

Speaking about what has impressed him about the Blades this season, he added: "The clarity of the idea of how they play and how they approach football games.

"Very clear plans, very clear patterns and roles and a manager that has transmitted exactly how they want to play.

"They did it last year really well and this season as well, look where they are."

Arsenal XI vs Sheffield United: Martinez; Mustafi, Luiz, Tierney; Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Willock, Kolasinac; Pepe, Lacazette, Saka.

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

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