Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was able to name a full strength lineup for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea as Martin Odegaard made his long awaited return to the starting XI.
The Norwegian has been sidelined since September after picking up an injury while on international duty and the team’s form has slumped in his absence.
The 25-year-old made his first appearance back on Wednesday when he was brought off the bench during the 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan at the San Siro, but this is his first start for the Gunners since the end of August.
Odegaard is not the only returnee as Declan Rice was named in the Arsenal lineup after missing the midweek action in the Uefa Champions League.
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The England midfielder was left out of the matchday squad and didn’t travel to Italy as a precaution ahead of facing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League this weekend.
It subsequently turned out that Rice may have broken his toe, although Arteta was coy on the details in his pre-match press conference.
“[Whether he has a broken toe is] for the doctor, what I can say is that he hasn’t trained yet and it is not clear whether he’s going to be available or not to play,” he said.
Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino were doubts heading into the Chelsea game, but the German starts and the Spaniard has been named on the bench.
Arsenal starting XI vs Chelsea:
4-3-3: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Odegaard, Partey, Rice, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.
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