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With Liverpool streaking clear at the top of the Premier League table, Sunday's bout with London rivals Chelsea is important for another reason.
Should the Blues claim their first victory over Arsenal since 2021, they'll cut the deficit to the second-place Gunners to three points. Nottingham Forest are just a point behind in third, although Man City, after their 2-2 draw with Brighton, are seven points back in fifth and we can say with some confidence that the top five will qualify for next season's Champions League.
Arsenal have a healthy buffer and the avoidance of a fourth straight league outing without a win will ease any fears of Mikel Arteta's side getting dragged into any dogfight down the stretch.
The boss rotated heavily in midweek, and here's the team he could pick for Chelsea's visit.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Chelsea (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper & Defenders
David Raya (GK) - Raya performed superbly in the second half last weekend and could do with a clean sheet on Sunday to cut Matz Sels' lead in the Golden Glove race.
Jurrien Timber (RB) - Ben White produced a rusty showing on his return to the XI on Wednesday, and there's no doubt Timber will be back in the starting lineup on Sunday.
William Saliba (CB) - The Frenchman earned some respite in midweek and is a certainty to be back. He won't match-up against Nicolas Jackson here, with Enzo Maresca opting for Pedro Neto up top in the striker's absence.
Gabriel (CB) - Gabriel's run in the team continued against PSV in midweek as he donned the armband. The Brazilian is a shoo-in to remain in Arteta's side.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (LB) - After earning his first England call-up, Arteta's likely to prefer the security supplied by the teenager over the chaos facilitated by Riccardo Calafiori. He could see plenty of Cole Palmer at the Emirates.
Midfielders
Thomas Partey (DM) - Chelsea will aim to create superiorities in the middle of the park, and Partey's positioning will be put to the test by the floating Palmer and advancing Enzo Fernandez.
Declan Rice (CM) - The England international duels with another £100m midfielder on Sunday, with Moises Caicedo enjoying a stellar second season in west London. Rice enters this bout having scored in back-to-back games.
Martin Odegaard (CM) - Will Odegaard spark into life before the season draws to a close? Odegaard returned from an ankle injury in the reverse fixture, teeing up the opening goal with a clever pass in behind Chelsea's defence.
Forwards
Ethan Nwaneri (RW) - Nwaneri lines up for the final time as a 17-year-old this weekend having earned his first call-up to England's U21s in the week.
Mikel Merino (ST) - Arteta stuck with Merino on Wednesday and is unlikely to change against the Blues. He loves having a big body up top.
Gabriel Martinelli (LW) - The Brazilian should be ready for a return to the starting XI after a couple of appearances off the bench. Martinelli's threat in transition will come in handy against this Chelsea team.