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Arsenal fans think Arteta has ‘perfect chance’ to take Odegaard gamble after Partey injury

Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
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Arsenal have been dealt a major blow ahead of this weekend’s game against Leeds United, with Thomas Partey ruled out.

The midfielder will be missing due to a thigh injury, which will not only keep him out against the Whites, but also for the next two weeks.

Partey will be a big miss against Marcelo Bielsa’s energetic Leeds side, and Mikel Arteta will now need to come up with a new midfield setup.

Mohamed Elneny and Dani Ceballos are two options that could come in to play alongside Granit Xhaka in midfield, but Arsenal fans have other ideas.

If Arteta wanted to be very bold with his lineup, he could go with Xhaka as a lone anchor man in midfield, with support from two playmakers either side.

Emile Smith Rowe has been Arsenal’s main playmaker in recent weeks, keeping his place in the side despite the arrival of Martin Odegaard last month.

Martin Odegaard arsenal
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Now though, Arsenal fans are calling for the Norwegian to be given a start against Leeds, joining Smith Rowe and Xhaka in a midfield three.

Some think this is the perfect chance to name a bold team and go with Odegaard and Smith Rowe together, believing they have the necessary mobility and technical prowess to beat Leeds’s press play.

Emile Smith Rowe
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images