Arsenal could make some key changes to their starting XI when Chelsea visit the Emirates this weekend.
Unai Emery’s men have suffered a dip in form recently and endured a woeful 1-0 defeat to West Ham last time out.
The Gunners boss is expected to freshen up his side in the wake of that shock defeat, knowing victory over Chelsea would see Arsenal move within three points of their rivals.The north London club have been coping with an injury crisis in recent weeks but fitness problems seem to have eased, meaning Emery has more freedom with his selection.
Lucas Torreira was surprisingly dropped against the Hammers but is likely to return to the starting line-up in place of Matteo Guendouzi.Meanwhile, Ainsley Maitland-Niles should make way for Hector Bellerin on the right flank in order to combat the pace of Eden Hazard.
Konstantinos Mavropanos remains sidelined but Laurent Koscielny should continue in a back three alongside Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis Papastathopoulos.Henrikh Mkhitaryan is also out while Danny Welbeck and Rob Holding are long-term absentees.
Sead Kolasinac is expected to retain his place on the left while Alex Iwobi was one of the few players who impressed last weekend and should start in an advanced role.
Emery has fielded both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette in recent weeks, although the Spaniard could opt for a more defensive approach against Chelsea.
Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil remain options off the bench, although the German international has not featured in the league since the 1-1 draw with Brighton four matches ago.
The Gunners are currently 16 points off the pace of table-toppers Liverpool and sit ahead of Manchester United on goal difference ahead of their FA Cup Fourth Round clash next week.