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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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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


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