Rob Holding starts in the Arsenal backline for their Premier League trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea. The former Bolton defender comes in to the starting XI in place of Cedric Soares. This would appear to indicate that Ben White is moving to right back, although there is a possibility that Mikel Arteta could be reverting to the back three that saw him claim victory over Thomas Tuchel's side in this fixture last season.
Another change to the side from the defeat to Southampton sees Mohamed Elneny come in for just his second start of the season in the Premier League. The Egyptian is in to replace Albert Sambi Lokonga in the middle of the park. He is partnered by Granit Xhaka, which means that Nuno Tavares continues on the left of defence.
Alexandre Lacazette is back among the group after recovering from COVID-19, but he is only able to make the bench. Instead it is Eddie Nketiah who leads the line as he did during Saturday's loss at St. Mary's.
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This game also appears to have too soon for Takehiro Tomiyasu who doesn't make the squad at all. The Japanese international returned to training this week after missed nearly four months of action due to separate calf injuries, but he has not been passed fit for this match, with a return to the squad for Saturday's fixture against Manchester United a possibility.
Emile Smith Rowe meanwhile comes into the starting line up in place of Gabriel Martinelli who drops to the bench. The Brazilian is joined among the subs by Nicolas Pepe, who again fails to make the starting XI.
Several Gunners youngsters are also in the squad for the trip to Stamford Bridge due to the paucity of depth created by long-term injuries to key players like Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey. Miguel Azeez, Zak Swanson and Omari Hutchinson all make the bench as they look to taste their first Premier League minutes.
Arsenal starting XI vs Chelsea - Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Tavares; Elneny, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Lacazette, Smith Rowe.
