Sheffield United: Chris Wilder conundrum involving Oliver Arblaster debated - he's going to face a "tough ask" | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit has given his verdict on Ollie Arblaster's return to the team

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Ollie Arblaster made his return to the Sheffield United starting line-up in the team’s 1-1 draw against Norwich City on Tuesday night, after well over a year out of action.

The midfielder’s most recent previous appearance had come over a year ago, playing 45 minutes of their Steel City derby clash against Sheffield Wednesday on 10 November 2024.

The 21-year-old suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury that kept him on the sidelines as Sheffield United fought for promotion to the Premier League last season.

In the time he’s been out, the Blades have finished third in the table, lost the play-off final, sacked Chris Wilder and then re-hired Wilder as manager.

Sheffield United will be hoping that his return can now bolster their chances of climbing the Championship table, with their sights set on a play-off push again - but he may have to wait for regular starts.

Sheffield United’s midfield options bolstered by Ollie Arblaster return

When asked about Arblaster’s first appearance in over a year, FLW’s Sheffield United fan pundit Jimmy claimed that it’s great for the team, and the fact someone of his quality will have to compete for game time shows how strong the club’s midfield options are at the moment.

However, he is wary that Sydie Peck’s new injury issue could lead to Arblaster being at risk of being played too much if he is thrown into the side in his place.

“Ollie Arblaster returning to the lineup is brilliant for Sheffield United,” Jimmy told Football League World.

“He did look a little bit rusty [on Tuesday], but that’s to be expected, he’s been out for over a year, he’s been thrust into action a lot sooner than we would’ve wanted just due to our injury and illness situation.

“But, he’s got a tough ask on now to get in in front of Sydie Peck and Jairo Riedewald.

“I think it’s great competition, and that’s just what we need within the squad.

“I think it’s brilliant a player of Ollie Arblaster’s quality isn’t just walking back into the side, and that’s solely down to the form of Sydie Peck and the class of Jairo Riedewald.

“I think also it’ll be who partners Jairo in the middle, if I’m honest, just because of the unique job that Riedewald does for us.

“It’s going to be really interesting, especially if, as suspected, Sydie might be out for a little while.

“It’s just how much they’re willing to risk Arblaster’s fitness on his return this early.”

Sheffield United could be without Peck for some time, with Wilder claiming that it doesn’t look good for the midfielder at the moment.

The 21-year-old missed the 1-1 draw against Norwich midweek, while Riedewald’s absence was explained through illness.

Should the Dutchman return from that though, he may have to partner Djibril Soumare whilst Peck is out and Arblaster works his way back to full match fitness, but when all options are fit, the latter may have his work cut out when it comes to starting week in, week out.

Ollie Arblaster return has come at the right time for Sheffield United

When everyone is fully fit, Wilder will have a tough choice to make with his midfield options as Peck, Arblaster and Riedewald will all want to be playing, and there's also Soumare and Tom Davies to consider as well.

However, that would be a preferable problem to have than if everyone is unavailable, which was almost the case against Norwich, and what forced Wilder to select Arblaster from the start, perhaps sooner than he'd have liked.

Arblaster’s return has come at the right time, even if it was a big ask to start his first game back in over a year on Tuesday night.