Arsenal welcome Manchester United to Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night and Mikel Arteta knows it will be a tough test against Ruben Amorim's side.
The former Sporting CP boss has only been in the Man Utd dugout for three matches but Arteta believes the players are already buying into the Portuguese's ideas. "You can see his fingerprints in what he wants to do straight away," Arteta said on Friday.
"He's been very clear with what he wants to do. What he did with Sporting was remarkable after so many years. Especially the way he did it and the way his teams are playing. It brings energy to a new club and the players which is always positive. But we have to focus on what we're doing."
Arteta will be eyeing another three points against Man Utd as the Gunners attempt to close the nine-point gap to Liverpool at the top of the Premier League. There are doubts over a number of players going into the match, however.
Gabriel was forced off at half-time against West Ham on Saturday, although the Brazilian did tell fans via his Instagram account that he will "see you on Wednesday", which may indicate he is fine. Mikel Merino and Thomas Partey failed to make the matchday squad against the Hammers after picking up knee and muscle injuries respectively. Arteta was asked about the trio on Friday but did not give much away.
"We're gonna have a meeting this afternoon," the Spaniard said. "We have done a training session. We monitored and kept some players away from certain activities. After that meeting I will decide which ones are fit and available and who will start." He added: "They all want to play."
Elsewhere, Ben White continues his recovery after undergoing a "minor surgical procedure" on a knee issue during the international break. Takehiro Tomiyasu, meanwhile, remains away from the group as he recovers from his own injury issue. Myles Lewis-Skelly has been a constant presence around the senior group this season but picked up an injury just before the game at West Ham, although Arteta has not revealed how long the teenager will be out for.
So, looking at the official Arsenal website, the Gunners have 19 fit and eligible senior players available for selection for the game vs Man Utd. As per Premier League rules, a club is allowed to name a squad of 20 players for a Premier League match.
Young defender Josh Nichols was named in the matchday squad at the weekend to face West Ham, so it's possible the 18-year-old is included once again to make up the numbers. A lot may depend on the fitness of Partey and Merino, who have not yet been ruled out of the game vs Man Utd but are considered doubts.
Possible Arsenal squad for Man Utd: Raya, Neto; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Calafiori, Tierney, Nichols; Rice, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Odegaard; Trossard, Sterling, Jesus, Havertz, Martinelli, Saka.
Senior players unavailable for Man Utd: White (knee injury), Tomiyasu (knee injury), Merino (knee injury - doubt), Partey (muscle injury - doubt), Lewis-Skelly (injury).
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Premier League