Rival watch: Major boost for Chelsea as Arsenal’s £30m signing set to miss London derby

Arsenal set to be without Martin Odegaard for London derby against Chelsea

According to football.london, Arsenal new boy Martin Odegaard will not feature against Chelsea in the London derby this weekend due to visa issues.

The Norwegian playmaker spent the second half of last season on loan at the Emirates. A potent number 10 on his day, the 22-year-old possesses the poise and prowess required to unlock some of the best defences in the continent.

But the Blues would be without that headache this Sunday as visa issues are believed to be the reason behind him being absent from this season’s first North West London derby.

The former Real Madrid player signed on a permanent deal earlier this month in a £30million deal. The club, however, have confirmed in their official statement that he will miss the game against Thomas Tuchel’s Blues on Sunday.

No Odegaard for Chelsea clash

“The transfer is subject to the completion of regulatory processes and visa requirements. Martin will not be available for Sunday’s match with Chelsea, and we await visa clearance before he will be available for selection.”

With all due respect to Arsenal, they are no longer the side they used to be under Arsene Wenger. Mikel Arteta and Unai Emery’s reigns at the Emirates have pushed the club towards precariousness rather than stability.

However, the form book goes out of the window in derby games. The Gunners beat Chelsea home and away last season under both Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel.

More Chelsea News:

• Chelsea will be without Christian Pulisic for the London Derby on Sunday
• Transfer News: Alaves complete agreement with Chelsea over Matt Miazga loan
• Chelsea could sign Saul Niguez before the end of the month

The Blues will be looking to set that record straight. If Chelsea want to challenge for the Premier League title this season, these are the games they cannot afford to lose so early on in their campaign.