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 taking ownership and they are responsible for everything that happens on that field,’ Arteta said. 

‘And then their attitude, their love — that love for defending. You have to love it. If you don’t, it’s because the manager is shouting and pushing you. When you put something into their system and they enjoy doing that and take pride in doing that, they celebrate defensive actions as they do an assist or a goal. Then you can take that to a different level.

‘That is spreading through the team. That is contagious. Everybody has to be connected because every space, the timing of it, the approach, the distances that you have between the players, to read certain intentions and structures of the opponent, it is a lot of things but they know it now. We have to continue to do that.’

After a spate of injuries, Arsenal are back to near full strength. A late call will be made on whether full backs Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu make the squad. Jurrien Timber remains out but has started his integration into first-team training.

The Gunners may be in the ascendency now but Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder remembers when some were calling for the Spaniard’s head — particularly after they crashed out of the 2021 Europa League in the semi-finals to Villarreal — managed by their old boss Unai Emery.

‘I’ve an incredible amount of respect for Mikel because he’s been through tough times at Arsenal and come through them,’ said Wilder.

‘Everyone at one stage thought a change would be made. But Mikel came through that and won a trophy early on (the FA Cup in 2020), after knocking us out in lockdown. The way Mikel is progressing, moving and building his team is really good to see.’

Wilder’s side, rooted to the foot of the table, suffered crushing defeats by Brighton and Aston Villa last month and he added: ‘I don’t want us to be a pushover. At times we have been — but that won’t happen going forward, I’m telling you.’