Mikel Arteta could finally assemble Arsenal's strongest starting lineup after the international break. The Gunners enjoyed a brilliant start to the season, quickly establishing themselves as title contenders for a third year running.
Unfortunately for Arteta, though, Arsenal had a bit of a wobble just before the festive period, going four games without a win in the English top-flight. Despite numerous injuries to big names and a quiet January transfer window, the North Londoners managed to transform their fortunes.
From November to February, Arsenal enjoyed a 15-game unbeaten streak in the Premier League before losing to West Ham. The Gunners are now 12 points behind Liverpool in the title race, with Nottingham Forest fast-approaching in third.
So, Arteta will be hoping his side can jump out of the gates after the international break and narrow the Reds' advantage. With that being said, journalists at football.london have picked their strongest Arsenal starting lineup ahead of the run-in.
Matthew Abbott
As it did at the start of the season, Arsenal's strongest starting XI still includes Benjamin White, so I would like to see Mikel Arteta use the player as a defensive midfielder over the rest of this season. Despite playing exclusively in the backline since signing for the Gunners, he played further forward more often than right-back at Brighton & Hove Albion and, before that, on loan at Leeds United.
Jorginho and Thomas Partey being out of contract at the end of this season means preparing for a future without either player seems sensible, so deploying White as a defensive midfielder would do that. It would also allow Jurrien Timber to remain at right-back rather than reverting to the left-hand side of the defence and displacing Myles Lewis-Skelly or Riccardo Calafiori.
Doing so would also mean Declan Rice can continue to play higher up alongside Martin Odegaard. Both will then remain more in support of the returning Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli flanking Mikel Merino.
Matt's strongest Arsenal XI for the run-in: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; White, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Merino, Martinelli.
Kieran Horn
Though Arsenal have struggled for consistency as of late, just one injury return in attack could make so much difference for Mikel Arteta. Looking further back, there is no point in changing a settled back five of David Raya, Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori will push for starts but the current full-back duo have been excellent and therefore should be rewarded. While there is a temptation to play Declan Rice deeper, for total control and to help Martin Odegaard with creative responsibilities, I would keep him further forward in a midfield three with Thomas Partey at the base.
Saka being back has the potential to be huge for Arsenal and though his return should push one of Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli or Ethan Nwaneri into a central position, Mikel Merino stays up top for me. As was evidenced by that brace against Leicester City, he can be an excellent penalty box striker.
Give him quality balls off the right from Saka and courtesy of Martinelli out on the left and I believe he will continue to get chances and score goals.
Kieran's strongest Arsenal XI for the run-in: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Merino, Martinelli.
Jake Stokes
It goes without saying that David Raya should be between the sticks. I'd like to see Arteta slowly reintegrate Ben White into the Arsenal backline, but Jurrien Timber and Myles Lewis-Skelly have been excellent at full-back recently.
So, the former Leeds and Brighton defender will have to settle for minutes off the bench for now as he builds his match fitness. Thomas Partey has been joining Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice in the middle of the park recently, with Mikel Merino deployed as makeshift striker.
But, I'd like to see the Spaniard replace Partey, with Gabriel Martinelli leading the frontline, Ethan Nwaneri on the right and Leandro Trossard on the left. Once Bukayo Saka returns, Arsenal will be even stronger.
Jake's strongest Arsenal XI for the run-in: David Raya; Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Myles Lewis-Skelly; Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard.
Tom Coley
Arsenal need Saka back for the rest of the season if they have any chance of getting past Real Madrid. That really is where the season lies for Arteta.
The rest of the team picks itself right now. Raya is the undisputed goalkeeper with Gabriel and Saliba ahead of him. The return of White could see Arsenal reunite their right-side dominance, that moves Timber across to the left.
Lewis-Skelly still has a role to play but here it is more likely to be in midfield. Odegaard and Rice are locked in. It is then a choice between Partey and Lewis-Skelly for the last slot.
In the fire of a big game, Partey has the backing but Lewis-Skelly at left-back over White with Timber on the right is just as strong, really. Saka and Martinelli then flank Merino, who is the big body up front to try and score the goals.
With Nwaneri and Trossard on the bench either way, Arsenal do have crucial depth. The playing around with Lewis-Skelly, Rice, and Partey in a double pivot or midfield three is a good choice of options to have.
Tom's strongest Arsenal XI for the run-in: Raya; White, Gabriel, Saliba, Timber; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Merino, Martinelli.
football.london Chelsea WhatsApp channel
Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Want to keep up to date with the breaking and important Chelsea stories whilst on the move? Well now you can!
Click this link to follow the football.london Chelsea WhatsApp channel, where you'll be kept up to date on the latest Blues news wherever you are.
Just remember to turn on the notifications once you've followed, and you won't miss a beat!