Arsenal can use the Europa League exit as motivation when they welcome Crystal Palace to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners haven't had long to get Thursday night's penalty shoot-out defeat at the hands of Sporting CP out of their system and, in truth, they can't afford to be affected by it, especially as the incentive for beating the Eagles will be an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
This is because Manchester City have been in FA Cup quarter-final action today, therefore if the north London outfit can complete the double over a Palace side that parted company with Patrick Vieira on Friday morning, they will head into the international break in great spirits.
READ MORE: Martin Odegaard and Arsenal stars to return against Crystal Palace with £21m signing on standby
Of course, it's mixed news on the injury front for the Gunners as Takehiro Tomiyasu is expected to miss out, whilst William Saliba is being assessed over a back problem. And having seen many of his regulars play 120 minutes on Thursday night, could this factor into Mikel Arteta's team selection?
Not for the first time this season, football.london's Arsenal writers Kaya Kaynak 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 Premier League leaders against Crystal Palace.
Kaya Kaynak - Chief Arsenal Writer
With 11 finals left to go for Arsenal now, there's no room for any sentiment in the Arsenal team selections. It has to be a strong as possible for every game from here on out as far as I'm concerned.
That means Aaron Ramsdale starts despite his underwhelming showing in the penalty shootout on Thursday. In front of him, Ben White is back in with Tomiyasu out injured, while Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Magalhaes are obvious picks.
I wouldn't risk William Saliba just yet though, with the nature of his injury currently unclear. With the international break coming up, Rob Holding can cover, although Wilfried Zaha is certainly a daunting opponent.
Thomas Partey has to come back in at the base of the midfield, while Martin Odegaard is a necessity too. With Granit Xhaka getting back to his attacking best, I'd definitely start him as well, particularly after the poor display of Fabio Vieira in midweek.
Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka comes back into the starting line-up for me, and Gabriel Martinelli deserves a chance to bounce back from his penalty disappointment. Up front, I think I'd give Gabriel Jesus the start, particularly after Leandro Trossard played all the way through extra-time in midweek despite being just back from an injury himself. The Belgian can share the game with Jesus, so expect him to come on later in the match.
Kaynak's Arsenal XI vs Crystal Palace: Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, G.Jesus, Martinelli
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne - Arsenal Writer
It's a massive game on Sunday for a couple of reasons. One being Arsenal need to show there's no hangover from Thursday night's Europa League exit and the other is the importance of a victory over Crystal Palace is opening up an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Therefore, Mikel Arteta has to name his strongest possible team. For me, that means a start for William Saliba but only on the condition that the Frenchman is fit. Seeing him in good spirits on the bench after coming off against Sporting CP leads me to believe he will be fine.
With that said, decisions have to be made over the players that played 120 minutes on Thursday night and I can see Kieran Tierney getting the nod over Oleksander Zinchenko at left-back, simply because he is the fresher of the pair having not featured at all in the European tie.
In midfield, it is a straightforward decision for Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard to return. The same logic applies to Buakyo Saka in attack, but I would opt for Leandro Trossard over Gabriel Jesus as the focal point considering the Brazilian is still a bit rusty after such a long time out.
Again, factoring in Thursday night's game and Gabriel Martinelli's exploits and I think it might be Emile Smith Rowe time. An unused substitute in the last two games, there's an opportunity for Arsenal's No. 10 to serve a timely reminder of his qualities and to prove he's ready to aid the title charge.
Deniran-Alleyne's Arsenal XI vs Crystal Palace: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Odegaard, Xhaka; Saka, Trossard, Smith Rowe
Who gets into your starting XI? Use our team selector below and leave a comment to have your say.
READ NEXT:
The unlikely scenario that sees Bukayo Saka miss Arsenal double-header vs Man City and Chelsea
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Saliba's injury, Martinelli's miss and bouncing back
Takehiro Tomiyasu, William Saliba: Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of Crystal Palace
Mikel Arteta's major William Saliba injury boost after Arsenal vs Sporting Europa League tie
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
