Arsenal team news vs Chelsea and predicted lineup | OneFootball

Arsenal will be looking to tighten their grip on a spot in the Premier League‘s top four when they host London rivals Chelsea on Sunday at 1:30pm.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Chelsea

Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Nwaneri, Trossard, Martinelli

The Gunners go into the weekend 15 points behind league leaders Liverpool, and there is the chance to cut that gap to 12. But even if they do, the title seems too far-fetched for Arsenal now this season.

So the focus must turn to the top four, with Arsenal holding a healthy eight-point lead over fifth. But the Gunners are winless in their past three league games, losing one alongside two draws.

Arsenal team news vs Chelsea

There may have been slim hopes of Bukayo Saka being back from injury in time for this game, but the Englishman won’t return until after the international break. There has been a boost in recent games, though, as Gabriel Martinelli has made his return from injury.

The Brazilian has had cameo appearances in Arsenal’s past two games, with Mikel Arteta clearly managing his time. But this could be a good time for Martinelli to get his first start back, with Arsenal struggling in front of goal in the Premier League of late.

Arsenal’s only other absentees are all out for the season, with Kai Havertz, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Jesus sidelined long-term.

The Gunners were able to rotate for their Champions League draw with PSV in midweek, given their huge aggregate lead going into the game. So we should see a more normal starting XI for the visit of Chelsea.

Jurrien Timber, Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori should return to the defence, with the latter edging out Myles Lewis-Skelly to become Arsenal’s first-choice left-back at the moment. Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard should return to the midfield, over Jorginho and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Raheem Sterling cannot play against his parent club, but wouldn’t have started over Ethan Nwaneri anyway. Leandro Trossard may lead the line ahead of Mikel Merino, who started in midweek — if Martinelli does indeed start on the left.

Martin Odegaard the key for Arsenal

Chelsea have had a very open defence recently, so it won’t take much for Arsenal to unlock it. But they’ll still need captain Martin Odegaard at his best.

The Norwegian has a good record against Chelsea, being directly involved in six goals in seven Premier League games. Four of those goal involvements have come in just two league games at the Emirates.

In his first game against Chelsea at the Emirates, Odegaard scored twice in a 3-1 win. And last season he assisted twice in Arsenal’s 5-0 victory.

As Arsenal looked more of an attacking threat against Manchester United last weekend, Odegaard was at the heart of it. The Norwegian had five shots against Man Utd, with only Trossard (six) having more among Arsenal players. But Odegaard led the Gunners for shots on target (three).

Odegaard also sat top of the charts for Arsenal against Man Utd with three chances created. He made 38 passes into the final third and six crosses, both team-highs. If he can find that influence again this weekend, Odegaard will cause Chelsea problems.

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