Martin Odegaard absent for Arsenal vs Chelsea in Mikel Arteta blow

Martin Odegaard has not been included in Arsenal's squad to face Chelsea in the Premier League. The Gunners captain has only just returned from injury but is absent again with what is seemingly another fitness issue.

With Odegaard only on the bench for last weekend's North London Derby win over Tottenham, Mikel Arteta has named an unchanged starting XI.

That has resulted in Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres starting after their braces last Sunday with Leandro Trossard off the left and supported by Piero Hincapie.

As for Chelsea, Liam Rosenior has opted to deploy Mamadou Sarr at centre-back with Cole Palmer on the right which sees Enzo Fernandez in a central attacking role.

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There is also one noticeable change on Arsenal's bench, with Kai Havertz making his return after a few weeks out with a muscular problem.

The Germany international will be hoping to make another impact against his former club after scoring in their Carabao Cup semi-final triumph.

This clash is in the league however, and it is a huge one in the title race following Manchester City's win over Leeds United on Saturday evening. Prior to the Gunners' latest local derby, two points is the difference but a win will see the gap restored to five.

Arteta does not have to worry about City playing earlier for their next set of games with the two teams both playing on Wednesday evening with a 7:30pm kick-off.

Pep Guardiola's side are due to host Nottingham Forest while Arsenal take on Brighton at the Amex Stadium.

FA Cup action is the focus the following weekend with Arsenal away at League One Mansfield Town while City make the trip to Newcastle United.

Arsenal host Everton and play both of their last-16 games against Bayer Leverkusen over the coming weeks while City take on West Ham United and also battle against Real Madrid in Europe.

Following those set of games, the two title rivals will battle it out for the first piece of silverware of the season in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

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