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.’

Your football fix

Metro's Head of Sport James Goldman delivers punchy analysis, transfer talk and his take on the week's biggest stories direct to your inbox every week.

Sign up here, it's an open goal.

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.

More Trending

1. 

   Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea: Saliba and Timber keep Gunners title charge on course

   Channel: Football Football 7 hours ago By Tony Mogan
2. Owen Hargreaves tips £69m Liverpool signing to become 'the best in the world'
3. Man Utd 2-1 Crystal Palace: Sesko-inspired Red Devils come from behind to continue revival
4. Man Utd stars in agreement over perfect manager for full-time position

‘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.

Arrow MORE: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea: Saliba and Timber keep Gunners title charge on course

Arrow MORE: Man Utd 2-1 Crystal Palace: Sesko-inspired Red Devils come from behind to continue revival under Carrick

Arrow MORE: Man Utd stars in agreement over perfect manager for full-time position

Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source Football Newsletter – In The Mixer

Punchy analysis, transfer talk and more from Metro's football experts, sent straight to your inbox every week.

Team Expand Options ?

Let us know which team you support. Close

Select All Select All Arsenal Arsenal Aston Villa Aston Villa Bournemouth Bournemouth Brighton Brighton Burnley Burnley Chelsea Chelsea Crystal Palace Crystal Palace Everton Everton Fulham Fulham Leeds United Leeds United Liverpool Liverpool Manchester City Manchester City Manchester United Manchester United Newcastle Newcastle Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest Sunderland Sunderland Tottenham Tottenham West Ham West Ham Wolves Wolves Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign Up

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy