Arsenal to unleash four returning players at Chelsea as Arteta big boost

Arsenal have made it a habit of entering the international break at the perfect time. The September stoppage came following a dramatic late victory over Manchester United with Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus sentencing Erik ten Hag’s side to a miserable period of reflection that is clearly still taking its toll weeks later.

It’s understandable that some might want to take such a victory and run with it. Storm into the next game with the momentum it brings and bring down a Chelsea side who have mounted something of a mini-revival in the last couple of weeks.

Bukayo Saka was not involved at all and Mikel Arteta spoke after the game to explain how he would not be playing football for the moment, hinting that would rule out England duty too. He said, “No, he could not make it.

“He has not had a single training session, so he will be out. He’s not available to play football at the moment.”

There are some suggestions England are still expecting Saka to make his way to the camp after being called up, rather ludicrously, by Gareth Southgate. Whether he makes the team or plays remains to be seen.

But the reality of the break is that Chelsea are likely to face an Arsenal side welcoming back Martinelli, Partey and Saka to the starting line-up. William Saliba was also confirmed to have suffered a small knock that he played through for another couple of weeks and the hope will be the Frenchman becomes the fourth player to return from the break firing fit.

So let us rejoice not only about the three points against the champions but also the fact that the players bloodied and bruised can recover and refresh ahead of another battle in London. I usually cannot wait for the next game, but I suppose I can somewhat more comfortably this time.