Why Martin Odegaard misses Arsenal vs Chelsea

Why Martin Odegaard misses Arsenal vs Chelsea James Goldman Published March 1, 2026 4:06pm Updated March 1, 2026 4:18pm Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments Martin Odegaard missed Arsenal’s Premier League showdown against Chelsea (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal were again without captain Martin Odegaard for their Premier League showdown against Chelsea.

The Gunners were in need of a response after watching Manchester City enjoy a narrow win over Leeds United on Saturday which saw the gap at the top fo the table reduced to just two points.

Mikel Arteta was able to select the same team that romped to a 4-1 victory over Tottenham in last week’s north London derby with Eberechi Eze starting in the No.10 role behind in-form striker Victor Gyokeres.

Club captain Odegaard came on as a late substitute in that game and registered an assist for Gyokeres.

The 27-year-old will be unable to build on that moment and was unable to make the matchday squad as a result of the knee injury he picked up against Brentford a fortnight ago.

Kai Havertz was, however, back on the bench withMikel Arteta saying: ‘Well, Kai trained really well and he’s fit and available, and unfortunately

‘Martin is still not feeling totally comfortable with that knee injury, and we decided not to risk him.’

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Kai Havertz was back on the bench for Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal won both legs of their recent Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea but Arteta was expecting another stern test from Leroy Rosenior’s side who were desperate for points as the race for Champions League qualification hots up.

‘Yeah, well, with the players that have this, a lot of variations, because they have three players that can play as a nine, for example, Joao can play as a nine,’ he said.

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‘Palmer can play as a nine, Neto has played as a nine, they can play in different positions and ways, so we are very aware of that.

Your Chelsea XI. #CFC | #ARSCHE pic.twitter.com/Th6utYTAaj

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 1, 2026

‘We have prepared for that, and especially on the strengths that we have to exploit their weaknesses.’

Chelsea, meanwhile were without both Wesley Fofana, through suspension, and full-back Marc Marc Cucurella.

Rosenior opted to solve the issues on the left-hand side of his defence by handing a first Premier League start to Mamadou Sarr, who was recalled from his loan spell at Stasbourg in January, while summer signing Jorrel Hato was tasked with attempting to contain Bukayo Saka.

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