Chris Wilder has said Sheffield United "need to be brave" if they are going to able to regain their form ahead of their FA Cup quarter final clash with Arsenal.

The Blades have picked up only one point from their first three games since the Premier League restarted with the major difference of all games being played behind closed doors.

Sunday's game with Arsenal will be the first time since the restart Sheffield United have played at their home ground, Bramall Lane.

  • The Blades are "looking for a spark"

Before the season was postponed in the middle of March due to the Covid-19 pandemic the Blades were in poll position in the fight for a European spot, but consecutive 3-0 defeats at the hands of Newcastle and Manchester United now see the Blades in eighth position. 

"We are looking for a spark," Wilder said at this morning's press conference.

"We are disappointed with the last two games, we need a performance, the players are hurting as we all are at the football club."

Following a comprehensive defeat at Old Trafford in which the Blades barely laid a glove on Manchester United, Wilder said he gave his player a couple of days off to recover at home ahead of the game on Sunday.

"I've never questioned their honesty and never will, but their will be a reason we haven't produced performances."

  • Wilder acknowledges Arsenal threat

Sheffield United have successfully managed to take four points out of a possible six against Arsenal this season. Firstly a 1-0 victory at Bramall Lane thanks to a Lys Mousset back in October and then a 1-1 draw at the Emirates in January.

Wilder has said his side will need to capture the same mentality that they had during them games if they are going to be in with a chance of progressing to the FA Cup semi final.

"We’ve had two positive results, a home win and an away draw.

"We can gain confidence, but only if we produce a full tilt performance. That’s got to be the aim.

"We have to be brave and get back to our mentality that has given us our best performances.

"We have to find an answer from somewhere."

  • Wilder gives Jack O'Connell Update

During the project restart, Sheffield United have had their share of injury problems. 

Defender Jack O'Connell had not missed a single minute of Premier League football before the season was suspended has missed all three games since the restart following a collision with goalkeeper Dean Henderson in a training session. Wilder has said that the defender will be in contention to feature on Sunday.

"We are assesssing Jack everyday and he is improving each day and it is encouraging that he has a chance of playing and it would boost us tremendously."

Wilder was also full of praise for O'Connell's replacement Jack Robinson who was signed from Nottingham Forest in January.

"Jack Robinson has been very very good and he has been one of the plus points of a slow restart."