Arsenal have gone four games without a win and are no longer sitting top of the Premier League table as a result.
Instead, it's Manchester City who lead the way following their 2-1 win over Fulham on Sunday afternoon - their eighth straight victory in the competition - thus putting the pressure on the Gunners to respond when they welcome London rivals Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.
The scenario is pretty straightforward for Mikel Arteta's side. Win and they return to the summit, albeit potentially for 24 hours with Man City back in action at home to West Ham United on Wednesday; but if their winless run stretches to five then the chances of being crowned Premier League champions will reduce even further.
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So considering it's a must-win game for Arsenal, the good news is that Arteta hasn't reported any fresh injuries following last Wednesday's 4-1 loss at the Etihad Stadium which means he can name an unchanged team. However, given his side's recent run of form, could this cause the Gunners boss to rethink his line-up?
Not for the first time this season, football.london's Arsenal writers Tom Canton and Tashan Deniran-Alleyne are on hand to offer their assistance to the Spanish tactician. Below, they name their respective starting line-ups for the home side against Chelsea.
Tom Canton - Arsenal Writer
This feels like such an odd game with the usual visit of Chelsea veiled with the expectation of immense challenge and even unpredictability. Whilst Arsenal’s record at Stamford Bridge has been brilliant of late, the Emirates clashes have thrown up an array of results.
Yet, Chelsea’s form means there is nothing but expectation of an Arsenal victory here. I’d like to see some changes from the four-game winless run with those underperforming brought out of the side where possible.
The first is Thomas Partey who has endured a nightmare of late in fixtures. Jorginho is the obvious replacement and one who’d therefore face his former side.
Other midfield changes come in the form of integrating Leandro Trossard into the double-eights partnering Martin Odegaard. I can’t replace any of the front three just now, and would love to see the Belgian reinforce the attack instead of come into the side in place of a regular starter.
A clean sheet at home has been a rarity, but if Arsenal want to win their last five games both a win and avoiding conceding in this match would be the perfect start. Changes might be required but Arteta is sure to keep us guessing until 7pm on Tuesday.
Canton's Arsenal XI vs Chelsea: Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Jorginho, Trossard, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne - Arsenal Writer
Whilst I agree with the notion that Mikel Arteta needs to make changes against Chelsea, I'm not convinced Leandro Trossard is the answer. The fact that Arsenal have conceded 11 goals in their last four games highlights the problem is in defence rather than the attack.
As a result, it's time for the Spaniard to be ruthless with his team selection. After all, the Premier League title race isn't done and dusted, contrary to popular belief, and therefore the Gunners manager needs to start punishing poor performers if his side are to achieve the ultimate goal.
Two names that immediately spring to mind are Thomas Partey and Oleksandr Zinchenko. Neither has covered themselves in glory at a time where Arsenal's experienced players should be stepping up so I would be looking to replace them with Jorginho and Kieran Tierney respectively.
Rob Holding has also struggled recently but with no obvious replacement, he will most likely continue in central defence alongside Gabriel Magalhaes with Aaron Ramsdale, Benjamin White, Martin Odegaard, Granit Xhaka, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus all retaining their places too.
Deniran-Alleyne's Arsenal XI vs Chelsea: Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Jorginho, Odegaard, Xhaka; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
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