Arteta insists he will have 'very powerful midfield' for Sheff Utd match

They have the meanest defence in the Premier League — and the long-awaited return of Thomas Partey could make Arsenal even meaner.

The Gunners have the most clean sheets (10) and have conceded the fewest goals (23) in the division, having reset since defeats by Fulham and West Ham in late December looked to have sent their title bid into freefall.

The go-to formation of Gabriel Jesus or Eddie Nketiah leading the line, with Kai Havertz on the left of midfield and Declan Rice in a holding role, has been adapted of late. Rice, as seen in the pivotal games against Liverpool and Newcastle last month, has a roaming role when afforded the protection of Jorginho playing behind him.

The England man played seven passes into the box against the Magpies — as many as he has done in a single game this season — as Arsenal won 4-1. Now, with Partey ready to return from a thigh injury which has ruled him out since October, Rice should have the protection to make further forays forward.

‘Rice and Partey have only played in the Community Shield together in midfield,’ said manager Mikel Arteta ahead of tonight’s trip to Sheffield United. ‘That tells you how much we have missed Thomas. The impact he can have for the next three months can be really big.

‘I will have to see that chemistry on the pitch and those qualities; the things we have to do to make sure they (Rice and Partey) play to their strengths and make each other better. But I think that will be a very powerful midfield.’

Steel runs through Arteta’s team, who are on the coat-tails of Liverpool and Manchester City, chasing hard and defending like their lives depend on it.

It has been drilled into the squad that keeping clean sheets is a collective responsibility.

‘Eleven players are