Arsenal drop Granit Xhaka from starting XI against Chelsea as transfer exit nears while Pulisic not in squad

GRANIT XHAKA has been axed from the Arsenal starting 11 after his transfer bombshell as Christian Pulisic is not named in the Chelsea squad.

Mikel Arteta returns to the Emirates for the first time as he leads the Gunners out for his second game as manager, but he will do so without Swiss midfielder Xhaka.

The ex-Arsenal skipper started against Bournemouth in midweek but after the 1-1 draw the player's agent revealed he is pursuing a move back to Germany with Hertha Berlin.

The Gunners confirmed Xhaka is ill and as a result he has been exiled from the match-day squad that hosts Chelsea, with Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira operating the deep lying midfield roles.

For Frank Lampard he has once again opted for five at the back, with the formation working perfectly to take three points from Tottenham last week.

But sandwiched between the two London derbies was a shock 2-0 home loss against Southampton, with Lampard reverting to four at the back after just 45 minutes after a total lack of creativity.

There is no space for winger Pulisic in the team, who came on against the Saints on Boxing Day, but is injured.

Mason Mount and Willian are in support of Tammy Abraham up front with Mateo Kovacic and N'Golo Kante forcing Jorginho on to the bench.

Chelsea stick with the same back line of Cesar Azpilicueta, Emerson, Kurt Zouma, Antonio Rudiger, and Fikayo Tomori with Kepa Arrizabalaga between the posts.

Bukayo Saka, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and David Luiz keep their place in the Arsenal backline with replacing Calum Chambers replacing Sokratis.

Mesut Ozil starts in his favoured No10 role with Reiss Nelson and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang either side of him as Frenchman Alexandre Lacazette leads the line.