Charlie Nicholas is expecting Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette to be a key player when the Gunners take on Sheffield United at the Emirates tomorrow afternoon.

The Frenchman has been out of sorts in recent months, with just one goal in his last seven matches, but Nicholas thinks the forward will need to step up in captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s absence to break down a stubborn Blades defence:

“Alexandre Lacazette can turn it around for them and Mikel Arteta can ask him to be in the penalty box more. It was only a draw at Crystal Palace, but they should have had the game won in the first 45 minutes.”

“Arsenal are only seven points above the drop zone, and I do not see that materialising but they are closer to that than they are to Chelsea. I will go for an Arsenal win, but it will take them some time to break Sheffield United down.”

Nicholas is predicting a 3-1 win for the home side, which is a lot more comfortable than most would predict considering Chris Wilder’s side have only conceded 11 goals in 11 games away in the league so far this campaign.

The Blades have drawn against both Chelsea and Tottenham on the road since their promotion, and they will undoubtedly present a stern challenge to Mikel Arteta’s side.

Nicholas is backing Lacazette to bang in the goals during Aubameyang’s three-match suspension, but we shall have to wait and see whether the 28-year-old can meet those expectations when they line up against Sheffield United.