Mikel Arteta takes Arsenal to Stamford Bridge this weekend with what appears to be the strongest squad he has had in months as Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke and Martin Odegaard continue to recover from injury and Leandro Trossard appears to have avoided taking anyone into his own hands.
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
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Odegaard, who missed 12 matches this season with a knee injury and two separate shoulder problems, is available again, although his playing acuity remains limited following his lengthy absence. Despite this, his return is a significant boost as Arsenal look to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.
Leandro Trossard suffered a problem with the calf muscle in the match against Bayern and was withdrawn as a precaution. He could still play at Stamford Bridge. “Yeah, there's another test with Leo today, we'll have to see how he feels,” Mikel Arteta told reporters at his press conference in front of Chelsea.
“It doesn’t look like much, so we still have a few hours left and we’ll have to see if it’s a potential chance. [that he will be available]”
Gabriel Jesus continues to strive for competitive returns and is represented in friendly behind closed doors this week as part of his rehabilitation. Arteta confirmed the game had taken place. speaking: “Yes, it really happened, Gabi participated, Ethan too, since he wanted a few minutes. We took advantage of this opportunity.”
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He added: “We have to see [if he can make the squad]Obviously he's been out for 11 months and you need that progress, you need to see how his body reacts and what else he needs.
“The players we have, it makes sense to have the right balance in the squad, so that's good. It's very, very close at the moment.”
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Arteta ahead of the match against Bayern Munich said that Kai Havertz And Victor Giokeres will undergo scans this week to assess their fitness for Chelsea. Ghiokeres missed four matches since the 2-0 win over Burnley on November 1 with a hamstring problem. Asked if they were ready to return, Arteta said: “Not yet, but they are getting closer and closer so we are very positive about both of them.
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“It’s good that now we are finding another option.
“We lost one player, two or three, at one point we lost six players in the front line and the team continued to win and be very, very effective, so I think that's very positive.”
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Gabriel remains on the sidelines due to a hip injury he suffered while playing for Brazil. “I think he is developing very, very well,” Arteta said. “We'll have to wait a little longer for the scan to be more precise in terms of timing.
“I’m very confident, especially with the way Gabi handles each injury and the way he will push everyone, that it won’t last that long.”
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Meanwhile, Chelsea will be left without Levi Colville, Dario EssuagoAnd Mikhail MudrikBye Romeo Lavia he faces a late fitness test. Cole Palmer can also be included as it does faster than expected recovery from a broken toe.
Sunday's meeting will be the 98th time the sides have met at Stamford Bridge in all competitions, with Chelsea having played Arsenal more often than any other opponent.
Arsenal are on a nine-game unbeaten run in the league and have lost just once in the Premier League all season, while Arteta's side have lost just one of their last 11 league meetings with Chelsea.
