Arsenal return to the Premier League on Sunday as they play host to London rivals Chelsea in a huge match.
For both teams, it’s an opportunity to assert themselves in the race for Champions League football next season, with plenty of teams in the mix.
While the Gunners had hopes of lifting the Premier League title, the gap to Liverpool appears insurmountable, and they can’t risk being dragged into a top-four battle.
Arsenal know that beating their rivals Chelsea would go a long way to helping secure a top finish once again.
The Blues were at the top for much of the early stages of the season, but their drop in form since December has put them on the back foot for reaching top European football again.
It outlines an important game for both, though it’s one that the North London side will have to deal without Raheem Sterling for.
Raheem Sterling misses out on Arsenal vs Chelsea due to Premier League rules
Raheem Sterling has had a difficult time at Arsenal, ever since he made the loan switch in the previous summer transfer window.
While the winger had an initial squad role, his impact was called into question when he failed to land a first-team shirt after a whole raft of injuries.
There have been some promising moments though, not least in the previous match that saw Sterling impress for Arsenal against PSV Eindhoven.
The experienced star would’ve no doubt hoped to take that form into the next game, but he isn’t able to do so.
That’s because Sterling is up against his parent club Chelsea, with Premier League rules stating that loanees can’t face them.
While some cases allow for those players to feature against their parent clubs, that is highly unlikely to be the case for such a high-profile game and is usually rare in itself anyway.
It leaves the star out of the squad, though it does open up an opportunity for another Hale End academy star to feature.
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Arsenal academy options to replace Raheem Sterling for Chelsea clash
With Sterling set to miss out, Arsenal may well have to call upon the academy to fill up their bench options.
Nathan Butler-Oyedeji impressed for the Arsenal under-21s on Friday, which could put him in line for another place in the matchday squad.
Meanwhile, Ismeal Kabia and Seb Ferdinand have been involved with the first team on plenty of occasions this season.
It could see any of those three feature on the bench for the side, though it remains to be seen if they will be handed any minutes.
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