Arsenal predicted lineup, team and injury news as Mikel Arteta makes Martin Odegaard decision vs Chelsea

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Arsenal face yet another tricky away trip as they head to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta’s side will now face their fourth away game in a row, after a win against Preston North End was followed by defeats to Newcastle and Inter Milan.

Chelsea have improved this season under Enzo Maresca, and are now above Arsenal on goal difference.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	10	5	4	1	14	7	7	19
4	ChelseaChelsea	10	5	3	2	20	12	8	18
5	ArsenalArsenal	10	5	3	2	17	11	6	18
6	Aston VillaAston Villa	10	5	3	2	17	15	2	18
7	TottenhamTottenham	10	5	1	4	22	11	11	16

The two clubs share a bitter rivalry, and Chelsea will hope to end Arsenal’s title hopes with a victory at Stamford Bridge, but they could be without Cole Palmer, whilst Arteta could welcome back a crucial player to his starting XI.

• READ MORE:How much Arsenal paid to sign every 2024/25 first-team squad player in the transfer market

Arsenal team and injury news ahead of Chelsea

After months of constant injury problems, Arteta has finally been handed some good news, as Martin Odegaard made his long-awaited return against Inter Milan.

The game saw Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz come off with injury scares at San Siro, but Arteta has hinted that both could return if they pass fitness tests.

There is less positive news on Declan Rice, who missed the trip to Milan with a broken toe, but he could still play through the pain on Sunday.

Takehiro Tomiyasu, Riccardo Calafiori and Kieran Tierney all remain injured for the trip to West London.

Martin Odegaard to return to Arsenal XI vs Chelsea

Odegaard came off the bench in the dying minutes against Inter, and he now looks set to start against Chelsea.

The 25-year-old has not started for Arsenal since August after picking up a long-term injury, but despite a lack of match fitness, he appears set to start against Chelsea.

This comes as a huge boost for Arsenal, who have struggled for creativity in his absence, and this will almost certainly mean the underperforming Leandro Trossard drops to the bench.

Predicted Arsenal XI vs Chelsea

Whilst Odegaard looks set to start, Rice’s injury may mean he only returns to the bench, but it appears likely that Merino and Havertz will shake off their problems to return.

Raheem Sterling is ineligible for the clash, with the winger on loan from Chelsea, meaning Gabriel Martinelli will have another chance to find his form after a difficult spell.

Predicted Arsenal XI vs Chelsea: David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber; Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino; Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli.