Gironavs.Arsenal

The Norway international missed Saturday's 1-0 Premier League victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers due to illness, with Mikel Arteta admitting that he was "nowhere near" fit enough to play.

Odegaard should be in contention to feature in midweek after a few days' worth of rest, although fans will have a clearer picture on his availability following Tuesday's training session.

Mikel Merino (knock) is in the exact same boat, while the long-term quartet of Gabriel Jesus (ACL), Bukayo Saka (hamstring), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Ben White (knee) will miss out again.

If Odegaard is given the green light to take part, expect to see the Gunners skipper return to his regular midfield role, a move that could push Ethan Nwaneri further forward to the right-wing position.

Nwaneri's game against Wolves ended prematurely - he was taken off at half time for Riccardo Calafiori following Myles Lewis-Skelly's red card - so Arteta may feel that it is only right to give the talented 17-year-old another shot here.

Leandro Trossard might be the one sacrificed if Odegaard returns, as Nwaneri joins Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz up front, while Thomas Partey could also be rested before Manchester City as Jorginho anchors the midfield.

As Lewis-Skelly will soon serve a three-game domestic ban, it makes sense to keep the teenager in the first XI this week, but Gabriel Magalhaes is due a rest and could make way for Jakub Kiwior seeing as Arsenal only need a draw to advance to the last 16.

Arsenal possible starting lineup:

Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Nwaneri, Havertz, Martinelli

Written by

Ben Knapton