Declan Rice hint, Odegaard reality - Four things spotted in Arsenal training for Chelsea clash

Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have been preparing for a return to Premier League action for the last few days, with eyes on a trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea.

The Gunners will look to put results against Newcastle and Inter behind them and return to winning ways. They were handed a boost without even playing on Saturday evening when title rivals Man City fell to a shock defeat against Brighton.

It means that a win over Chelsea will take Arsenal to within two points of Pep Guardiola’s side. Three points would also move the Gunners back above Chelsea and Brighton and into the top four.

READ MORE:Arsenal stars drop early Chelsea team news hint amid Declan Rice injury worry

READ MORE:Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko 'reaches transfer agreement' as contract details emerge

Ahead of the match, the club have released images of the squad’s preparations. Here’s four things that football.london have spotted from those pictures.

Declan Rice hint

Arsenal have an injury worry over Declan Rice with the midfielder remaining a doubt for the game. The England international midfielder picked up a knock in the defeat against Newcastle United, which caused him to miss the Champions League clash against Inter.

“I have to be very vague on that one because there’s no clarity if he is going to be fit on the weekend,” Arteta said on Friday. “He hasn’t trained yet and it’s not clear if he’ll be able to play.”

As the players stepped up their preparations, Rice does not appear in any of the images of the squad training. A late decision will therefore have to be made over the midfielder’s fitness.

Saliba shows true colours

Arsenal have become known for their defensive solidity under Mikel Arteta, that’s owned much to the central defensive partnership former between William Saliba and Gabriel. After serving a one-game suspension against Liverpool, Saliba was back to action for the games against Newcastle and Inter this week.

Given the attacking talent in the Chelsea squad, both Saliba and Gabriel will have to stay switched on throughout the 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge. Pictures in training show Saliba using his leadership skills.

Images show him talking to Gabriel using his fingers as if to reiterate a point to his central defensive partner. That communication and leadership could be vital in the game against Chelsea as Arsenal look to get back to winning ways.

Odegaard boost

In what is a massive boost to Arsenal, club captain Martin Odegaard returned to action against Inter in the Champions League. The midfielder has been missing since August due to an ankle injury, but was deemed fit enough to be included in the squad that travelled to Italy and was named on the bench for the game.

The captain made his way onto the pitch in the closing stages in what would be a welcome sight for Gunners fans. Ahead of the match against Chelsea, Odegaard was again pictured in training, meaning no after-effects were felt from the cameo.

If the midfielder is deemed fit enough to start at Stamford Bridge is still to be seen. But the fact that he can be included in the squad is already a massive boost for Arteta and his squad.

Youngsters involved

Ethan Nawaneri is having a breakthrough season in the Arsenal first team, and is expected to be included in the squad for the trip to Stamford Bridge. But it now seems that even younger players are being given a chance to experience training with the first team at London Colony.

Pictures show 14-year-old attacking midfielder Max Dowman taking part in training ahead of the game against Chelsea. The teenager is a regular in the club’s U18 team despite his young age, with the Gunners having high hopes for the youngster.