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Arsenal logo
Premier League | Gameweek 2
Aug 22, 2021 at 4.30pm UK
Emirates Stadium
Chelsea logo

Arsenal
0 - 2
Chelsea


Mari (34'), Holding (45'), Sambi Lokonga (67')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Lukaku (15'), James (35')

How Arsenal could line up against Chelsea with Martin Odegaard, Aaron Ramsdale

Sports Mole takes a look at how Arsenal could line up against Chelsea if Aaron Ramsdale and Martin Odegaard are registered in time.

Arsenal are understood to be closing in on a double swoop for Real Madrid's Martin Odegaard and Sheffield United's Aaron Ramsdale.

The former is re-joining the Gunners after impressing during a six-month loan spell in the 2020-21 season, while Ramsdale is set to compete with Bernd Leno for the right to wear the number one jersey.

Visa issues may prevent a roadblock when it comes to Odegaard's arrival, but Arsenal reportedly hope that both players will be available for their Premier League encounter with Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how the Gunners could line up against the Blues with Odegaard and Ramsdale in the side.


ARS CHE XI w/ODEGAARD, RAMSDALE

Arsenal are clearly not forking out close to £30m for Ramsdale to provide backup to Leno - the 23-year-old will eventually aim to become Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper and will hope to quickly win over Mikel Arteta for a start against Chelsea.

Leno did not cover himself in glory for Sergi Canos's goal against Brentford and will have a fight on his hands to retain the gloves, while Pablo Mari and Ben White - who both looked shaky on the opening day - will continue in defence as Gabriel Magalhaes nurses a knee problem.

Thomas Partey's bad luck with injuries has ruled him out of the visit of the Blues, so the indispensable Granit Xhaka - who has reportedly agreed to sign a new deal at Arsenal - could be partnered by another new arrival in Albert Sambi Lokonga ahead of Mohamed Elneny.

Emile Smith Rowe may have been handed the number 10 shirt when he committed his future to Arsenal earlier in the summer, but during the second half of the 2020-21 season, Odegaard played in the hole while the Englishman attempted to weave his magic from the left-hand side.

Smith Rowe has made himself undroppable and could therefore find himself out wide against the Blues if Odegaard is registered in time, while Gooners will be praying that Bukayo Saka is fit enough to start after a cameo appearance against Brentford.

Uncertainty lingers over the availability of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, so either Folarin Balogun or Gabriel Martinelli - the more likely option - seems set to lead the line against Chelsea, unless Arteta springs a surprise by fielding Nicolas Pepe up top.

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Ben Knapton
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


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