Arsenal host high-flying Newcastle on Tuesday evening, with the Gunners looking to extend their Premier League winning run to six games.
After a thrilling win over Brighton on New Year's Eve, Mikel Arteta's men are six points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table. They can extend that lead to nine points with a win over the Magpies at the Emirates Stadium, with City not in action until Thursday.
But Newcastle will be a tough test for Arteta's side, with the Toon enjoying a stunning season themselves. Eddie Howe's men are third in the table, having lost just one game all season and having held City to a draw back in August.
Arteta is facing somewhat of a selection headache, with two of his stars at risk of being suspended for the North London Derby against Tottenham in 11 days. Both Bukayo Saka and William Saliba sit on four yellow cards.
One more booking for either player and they will be forced to sit out the clash with fierce rivals Spurs. Arteta does have options to replace both players if he wanted to ensure they would be available for the trip to Tottenham.
But with his side facing the team in third and with the chance to extend their lead over City, that is unlikely to happen. Instead, both could start at the Emirates, with Saliba at centre-back and Saka out on the right wing.
HAVE YOUR SAY! What should be Arsenal's starting line-up against Newcastle? Comment below.
The rest of the team should also remain unchanged from the win over the Seagulls on Saturday. That will mean Aaron Ramsdale should start in goal, with Ben White taking his normal spot at right-back.
Alongside Saliba at centre-back is likely to be Gabriel, with the duo having formed a successful partnership this season. After recovering to full fitness, Oleksandr Zinchenko should retain his place at left-back over Kieran Tierney.
The by-now usual midfield trio of Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka are also expected to continue. Arteta will be hoping that Odegaard produces more of the magic which saw him inspire the Gunners to the win at Brighton.
Having scored seven goals in their last two games, Arteta will also likely stick with the front three that have started both games. With Saka on the right, Eddie Nketiah should start through the middle and Gabriel Martinelli selected on the left wing.
Despite the convincing win over Brighton, Arteta insisted his side knew they could deliver a better performance. And he encouraged his side to step up their levels against Newcastle on Tuesday.
"The four front players scored again today; that is great news. Eddie scoring again, Bukayo, Martinelli and in crucial moments as well. That's what we want, those players deciding football matches when the team needs it and that's what they're doing," he said.
"It's still a long, long run to go. My excitement comes when I go in the dressing room and the players are talking about what they should've done better today. That means they know that we still can play better, be better and against Newcastle we will have to be better."
Predicted Arsenal XI vs Newcastle: Aaron Ramsdale; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka; Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli
