Gabriel Martinelli could make his first Arsenal start in over a month in Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Chelsea at Emirates Stadium. Martinelli has come on as a substitute in the last two games and has boosted the forward options available to Mikel Arteta after recovering from a hamstring injury. Arteta has decisions to make in attack as Arsenal bid to cut the gap to Liverpool to 13 points. Raheem Sterling is not eligible face his parent club Chelsea. Ethan Nwaneri, who was rested for Wednesday’s 2-2 Champions League draw with PSV, should start on the right and Leandro Trossard may lead the line instead of Mikel Merino. Bukayo Saka is “getting closer” to making his comeback but remains sidelined. Saka has not played for Arsenal since tearing his hamstring in December. The winger is progressing well with his recovery and could return next month when the Gunners host Fulham after the international break. “He’s getting closer, he’s stepping up and making a very good progress I would say,” said Mikel Arteta. “So, let’s see when we start to throw him in with the team, how he reacts and how fit he can get quickly.” Ben White started against PSV but is still building up his fitness after undergoing knee surgery in November, so Jurrien Timber could start at right-back. Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Nwaneri, Trossard, Martinelli Injured: Havertz (hamstring), Jesus (knee), Saka (hamstring), Tomiyasu (knee) Ineligible: Sterling Time and date: 1.30pm GMT on Sunday 16 March 2025 Venue: Emirates Stadium Referee: Chris Kavanagh TV channel and live stream: Sky Sports