Arsenal host lowly Everton at the Emirates Stadium, and Mikel Arteta says his squad is ready to roll.
We are at the time in the Premier League season when the fixtures are coming thick and fast, with Arsenal's clash against Everton starting a three-game stretch in just eight days.
Given that Arsenal is already six points behind leaders Liverpool, that isn't ideal, but Mikel Arteta's team is in decent form and appears to have moved past their 1-1 draw with Fulham last time in the league after dispatching Monaco 3-0 in the Champions League midweek.
What might have gotten lost this week is that Everton is coming into this clash daisy fresh, having seen their last league game against Liverpool called off, while the Gunners played Fulham and then Monaco.
Is that a reason for Arsenal to be extra vigilant against the Toffees?
"That’s the context," Arteta said on Everton having more time to prepare. "We’re so used to playing every three days. The boys trained today really fired up and looking forward to the game, understanding that it’s always a really tough opponent and we’re going to have to be really good to beat them."
Martin Odegaard
We are entering the stage of the season where not only physical fatigue but also mental fatigue can hit teams like a freight train, and the Gunners are no doubt in danger.
With injuries to several key players including Olek Zinchenko, Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Gabriel, who might be fit enough to take his place, defensively, the Gunners have been depleted.
Now, with three games in eight days starting against an Everton team that is not only fresh and well-rested but is coming off a 4-0 demolition of Wolves, it is the perfect storm for Arsenal despite being at home.
But that is the Premier League and if Arteta's team has any intention of catching Liverpool, then these are the games that must be won, despite the injury concerns.
Myles Lewis-Skelly started midweek against Monaco and proved he deserved to play at the level, Kieran Tierney is also another option, so Arteta has choices.
Having regained the "good vibes" after the Fulham draw, Arsenal will now want to be all gas, no brakes. If it isn't careful, that six-point deficit could balloon to double digits during the festive period.
There's a lot riding on this clash, hence why the squad is "fired up" to take on the Toffees, and frankly so are we.