Arsenal lost more ground in the Premier League title race and will have to wait nearly two weeks before addressing the nine-point gap to the top.
The Gunners’ winless run was extended at Chelsea with the international break coming into affect. Mikel Arteta is beginning to welcome back a fully fit squad ahead of the hectic winter period as Arsenal prepare for high-flying Nottingham Forest next time out.
Martin Odegaard played in his first Premier League outing in several months at the weekend but a number of the squad have now headed off on international duty for the final time in 2024.
Odegaard will not play for Norway during the international break having only just recovered from injury. The playmaker has spent weeks on the sideline due to an ankle problem and his absence has hampered the Gunners, who have missed their captain’s leadership and creative influence in the final third.
