Gabriel Jesus starts, Nwaneri decision, Odegaard call - Three Arsenal changes for Chelsea trip

It cannot be stressed just quite how important this game is for Arsenal. Defeat at Stamford Bridge would represent a four-game winless run in the Premier League which includes three defeats away from home in a row.

The defeat to Bournemouth last month was a shock but only the first away defeat of the entire year in the league for the Gunners. Fast forward a few weeks and suddenly Mikel Arteta’s world is falling apart.

The absence of key players has played its role but Arteta has had time to find ways to adapt with an expensive and quality squad of talent. Yet so far, this eagerness of his team to spam crosses into the opposition penalty area is simply not working.

While on the other hand, Arsenal have conceded goals from crosses like it is going out of fashion. Two goals were conceded from corners against Bournemouth and Liverpool, a cross from Anthony Gordon found Alexander Isak and a speculative ball into the box to Mehdi Taremi for Inter Milan saw a controversial penalty given away by Mikel Merino.

Therefore, some changes will be needed and the potential return of Martin Odegaard is a big factor. David Raya of course will continue in goal but the defence has questions.

Riccardo Calafiori has been missed, particularly by Gabriel Martinelli. That said, the back four of Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber remain the best option with both Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior not convincing in the chances they have been given.

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Declan Rice suffered a minor foot injury against Newcastle and hopefully will be able to play against Chelsea as the return of Odegaard means the potential to reunite the strong Arsenal midfield of last season. Thomas Partey has been subtly Arsenal’s most consistent midfielder this season and the trio returning would be ideal.

Should Odegaard not make it, Leandro Trossard’s time in the middle has expired for me. Ethan Nwaneri deserves a chance and has injected some drive and quality missing from his other teammates in every showcase of his ability.

Up top, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz maintain their roles, although the German is coming in for increasing scrutiny of late. On the left, Martinelli is in another slump and therefore Gabriel Jesus makes sense to start with the Belgian and Brazilian talents coming off the bench to provide an impact later on.

Arsenal changed XI vs Chelsea: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Jesus