Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has a decision to make when it comes to who he selects on the right wing for his side's derby day clash with Tottenham.
The Gunners travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday evening, knowing a win will take them eight points clear of second-placed Manchester City. Arteta's men have lost just one game all season, but the nightmare against Spurs in May of last season is still fresh in their memories.
Thankfully for the Spaniard, he will be able to call upon virtually all of his first-choice players for the derby. One of the only injury concerns is over Bukayo Saka, who was forced off 15 minutes from time in the win over Oxford United on Monday.
While Arteta believes the Englishman will be fit enough to feature, the Gunners boss did not definitively confirm his availability for Sunday's game. That leaves Arteta with a decision to make, though if Saka is fit, he should start.
Saka's fitness is the sole concern for Arteta, with his first-choice goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale all but certain to start against Spurs. Ben White should again line-up at right-back, having become first-choice in that position this season.
With Harry Kane in fine form, Arteta should trust the pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel at centre-back once again. Oleksandr Zinchenko has reclaimed his place at left-back in recent weeks and should continue there against Spurs.
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Martin Odegaard was recently named the Premier League player of the month for November and December, with the Gunners skipper almost certain to keep his place in the team for the derby.
The Norwegian should be joined in midfield by Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey, with the trio forming a successful partnership this season. If Saka is indeed fit, he should start on the right wing, with Gabriel Martinelli lining up on the left.
And with Gabriel Jesus' return not yet on the horizon, Eddie Nketiah should continue to lead the line. With his side able to create more breathing space between them and their challengers, Arteta is looking forward to taking on Spurs.
"In this league, every week is so challenging. It’s so difficult and you see it every week. You don’t expect certain results that actually happen so looking too far in the calendar or making some games more difficult than others really doesn’t work in this league," he said.
"It’s one of the biggest games of the season for us. We know how much it means for us right now and how much it means to our people as well. We have to focus on playing well and doing what we have to do to win the game.
"Sometimes they approach games in different ways. "Let’s see how the game develops. We’ll prepare for any occasion in the best possible way and then it will be left to the players to do what they have to do on the pitch."
Arsenal predicted line-up to face Tottenham: Aaron Ramsdale; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka; Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli
