Chris Wilder says Jack Robinson and Vinicius Souza have put their on-field bust-up ‘to bed’ and ‘moved on’ ahead of Sheffield United’s clash with Mikel Arteta’s free-scoring Arsenal.
Underdogs Sheffield United ensured they remain bottom of the Premier League table as they lost 1-0 to Wolves last time out. Pablo Sarabia scored the only goal of the game at Molineux in the 30th minute.The pressure was on them. outstanding as the Blades scored their 66th goal of the campaign – by far the most of the season – and tempers flared as team-mates Robinson and Vinicius went head-to-head. in his box.After a few exchanges, players from both teams managed to intervene before the incident escalated and the pair avoided bookings when referee Darren Bond consulted the video assistant referee..
In the immediate aftermath of the defeat, which was four of the last five bouts of the Blades, Wilder claimed that the blow was a theta storm, claiming that similar falls “happen behind closed doors at every level”.And that. Robinson and Vinicius seem to have put their scraps behind them and the club must focus on survival as they prepare to host third-placed Arsenal at Bramall Lane on Monday night.’Look, I understand it was close. and a huge talking point, maybe I’ll take it to the media outside of Sheffield as well,” Wilder told reporters at his pre-match press conference on Thursday..
‘It’s not really much of a talking point for myself involved at the football club.
‘It made me laugh actually because the second story down after that on the Sky Sports website was two NHL ice hockey players absolutely smashing each other to bits! Taking their gloves off and smashing each other to bits for ten minutes.
‘So it wasn’t quite that in terms of intensity but for me it’s not an issue as long as it got put to bed straight away. I can sit here and over my career as a player, career as a manager a
nd career here as Sheffield United manager, there’s been plenty of those situations that have happened.
– It is clear that the Premier League has been in the spotlight and that is not a good image. I totally understand that and it was too close for comfort, but you know where I’m coming from… two boys want to do well.”Is that what made us go? I’m not sure if it made us. go because I thought we were fine though.’But these things happen, let’s put it to sleep and move on.’.
Despite Sheffield United’s current plight, Wilder insisted he would rather end it with a “world-class” clash with the likes of Arsenal than continue in the Championship.He explained: “What would you rather do?” Would you rather play in the Championship on a Monday night or face Arsenal in front of the world and play with world class players and a team that is absolutely flying, playing in Europe, improving year on year and earning their place?’I know where I want to be and I’m sure the players have the same attitude.’.
Asked whether he believed in ‘free hits’ against the Premier League’s top sides, Wilder replied: ‘No, there’s no free hits. We have to produce a performance that represents ourselves, our football club, that the supporters are proud of.
‘We haven’t had enough of those this season so we need to produce more of those than no. So no free hits for me regardless of the opposition.
‘Of course, the bookies and people in the game will have us down as the whipping boys on Monday night, we understand that, but the game’s not always built like that, results aren’t decided before a game on league position.
‘They go into the game as favourites, I understand that, but we have to show we’re capable of being competitive and get a result out of the game.’
