Arsenal's Premier League title credentials will be examined once again when they face Southampton away from home on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners know that they will end this weekend at the top of the table regardless of the result at St Mary's, but they'll have a point to prove having come unstuck in the corresponding fixture last season as a 1-0 reverse ultimately cost them in the race for Champions League qualification.
And although the Saints have struggled this season, Sunday's game will not be a straightforward one for Arsenal by any means as manager Mikel Arteta will be all too wary of Ralph Hasenhuttl's side raising their game against one of the so-called 'bigger teams' in the Premier League.
READ MORE: Every word Mikel Arteta said on Bukayo Saka injury, Tierney vs Tomiyasu, Maitland-Niles future
With that in mind, it's absolutely essential that the Spaniard gets his team selection for the game spot on and there could be one major decision for the Gunners manager to make, with Oleksandr Zinchenko still a doubt after missing the last five games through injury.
Should the versatile left-back sit this one out too, it's likely to come down to between Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu to deputise once again. In the last two Premier League outings, the Japan international got the nod, but the option to shake things up is there.
Thankfully for Arteta, football.london's Arsenal writers, Kaya Kaynak, Tom Canton and Tashan Deniran-Alleyne are on hand to offer their assistance. Below they take a look at who they would decide to start for the Gunners at St Mary's Stadium in the afternoon kick-off on Sunday.
Kaya Kaynak - Arsenal writer
Despite a decent performance on Thursday night from Matt Turner I'm still going for a return to the starting XI for Aaron Ramsdale, particularly after his superb display at Leeds last week.
In front of him, I think Takehiro Tomiyasu reminded us of how good he really is on Thursday night by pocketing Cody Gakpo, so for me he has to start at left back ahead of Kieran Tierney. It's harsh on the Scot but he'll need to do more to get back into the line-up.
In midfield I wouldn't look to change anything especially after Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard raised the level with their cameos vs PSV alongside the match-winning Granit Xhaka.
Up front Mikel Arteta changed the way I view Bukayo Saka playing pretty much every match by framing it as a necessity for him to become one of the game's greats. With that in mind he has to play up front alongside Gabriel Jesus and the returning Gabriel Martinelli.
Kaynak's Arsenal XI vs Southampton: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Partey, Odegaard, Xhaka; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Tom Canton - Arsenal Writer
The only true point of debate in this Arsenal team remains the left-back position. There is a sort of longing about Oleksandr Zinchenko’s return now because as soon as the Ukrainian is fit, he comes in to solve that final contention.
For now, I believe Kieran Tierney must come into the side to enable our left flank to become far more dangerous. Yes, Gabriel Martinelli and Granit Xhaka have brought their A-game to so much this season, but Takehiro Tomiyasu should be used more sparingly and against sides like Liverpool, not when the Gunners need to take control and dominate possession to create chances.
For me, this is a chance for Bukayo Saka to run wild again both creatively and with a goal threat. Up against Romain Perraud, the England international should be able to have a joyous time on the right.
Gabriel, having signed a brand-new contract, could do with a drama-free performance. He is great and his qualities have earned him this new deal, but he must remove these moments of madness to take his game to a new level; let this be the game to kick-that next step of his development off.
Canton's Arsenal XI vs Southampton: Ramsdale; White; Saliba; Gabriel; Tierney; Partey; Xhaka; Odegaard; Saka; Martinelli; Jesus
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne - Arsenal Writer
It's quite remarkable that Arsenal have gone from struggling without Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu in the same side to being in a position where one could be left out and the team still looks strong. Regardless of whether Oleksandr Zinchenko is in contention to face Southampton or not, no risks should be taken.
But who gets the nod to complete the back-line alongside Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes? For me, Tierney should start. This is taking the opponent into consideration as I think the Saints will concede possession, adopt a defensive approach and this is the type of game that will suit the more attack-minded Scot a lot more.
With neither Fabio Vieira nor Albert Sambi Lokonga staking a claim to be a regular in Arsenal's Premier League side with their performances in the win over PSV Eindhoven, I would expect the midfield trio against Southampton to consist of Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka.
In attack, the one change I would make from Thursday night is Gabriel Martinelli for Eddie Nketiah on the left-wing. The good news is that Saka is fine after picking up a knock a few days ago and the form he's in right now leads me to believe he will be Arsenal's dangerman on the South Coast.
Deniran-Alleyne's Arsenal XI vs Southampton: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Odegaard, Xhaka; Saka, G.Jesus, Martinelli
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