STRUGGLING Arsenal face a tough task to get anything out of their Premier League clash with Chelsea this weekend.
The Gunners slumped to a horror 2-0 defeat at the hands of newly-promoted Brentford in their season opener last Friday.
Mikel Arteta was missing FOUR players following positive coronavirus tests, including captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Alexandre Lacazette, Willian and Alex Runarsson also missed the game, with Eddie Nketiah ruled out with injury.
And with Gabriel Magalhaes and Thomas Partey also crocked, Arsenal’s leaky defence was once against exposed.
Arteta and Co now go up against a rampant Chelsea at the Emirates on Sunday knowing they also have to contend with £97.5million man Romelu Lukaku.
Arsenal have brought in reinforcements of their own, with £34m playmaker Martin Odegaard most-recently joining Nuno Tavares, Ben White and Albert Lokonga.
But the Norway captain, 22, will NOT be ready to take on Chelsea, Arteta has confirmed.
Bernd Leno will keep his place in goal with the £30m move for Sheff Utd and England stopper Aaron Ramsdale yet to be officially confirmed.
Calum Chambers will likely keep his place at right-back, ahead of Hector Bellerin and Cedric Soares.
White will have to start alongside Pablo Mari in the heart of defence with precious few other options, with Kieran Tierney on the left.
In midfield, Lokonga and Xhaka are almost certain to keep Mohamed Elneny out of the team, with Partey injured.
Emile Smith Rowe will keep his place at No10 with Odegaard not yet eligible to play.
The biggest conundrum for Arteta comes in the three attacking spots.
Alexandre Lacazette has already been ruled out following his positive Covid test.
Aubameyang has returned a negative test and is being monitored ahead of a potential start.
But should the club captain fail to make it in time, Gabriel Martinelli is likely to start up front after Folarin Balogun struggled against Brentford.
Bukayo Saka will be hoping to break back into the starting XI having started on the bench for the season opener.
The England whiz and Nicolas Pepe are set to start on the wings, with Willian also being monitored following his positive Covid test.
Arsenal host Chelsea on Sunday August 22 with kick-off at the Emirates 4.30pm.
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