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Arsenal predicted lineup vs Chelsea: Tierney & Martinelli?

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal celebrates with teammates Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Alexandre Lacazette, Emile Smith Rowe, Hector Bellerin, Mohamed Elneny, and Kieran Tierney after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on December 26, 2020 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal celebrates with teammates Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Alexandre Lacazette, Emile Smith Rowe, Hector Bellerin, Mohamed Elneny, and Kieran Tierney after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on December 26, 2020 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Granit Xhaka
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 14: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal celebrates victory with Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka of Arsenal following the Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (CM) – A simple decision for Arteta to make even if the Ghanaian has underwhelmed immensely since arriving in north London. As is ever the case watching back his matches, the wasteful passes and appalling efforts at goal stand out, which mask over the finer elements of his game, which can be joyous to watch.

With an actual midfield partner on Wednesday, he will be better off.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – Arteta said that those injured from the previous fixture were ‘in contention’ which we can assume included the Swiss.

How funny this season has gone where Xhaka returning to midfield is yearned for so intently by each supporter? Arsenal fans know they need him, they’re a mess in midfield without him, and losing that area of the pitch will not end well against the Blues.

Martin Odegaard (AM) – No introduction last time out and coupled with Smith Rowe picking up a knock may see Odegaard return into the No. 10 slot, ideally fresher than he’s been since the international break. Returning injured from Norway duty then playing 95 minutes against Liverpool has set him back, to this point not looking at his best.

That extra rest could come in handy since his vision will be essential to unpicking the unbreakable Chelsea defensive lock.

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