Arsenal welcome Crystal Palace to the Emirates this weekend as they look to tighten their grip on top spot in the Premier League.
The Gunners reclaimed top spot with a hard-fought victory over Fulham on Saturday evening.
With Liverpool slipping up again with a fourth defeat on the bounce against Manchester United, Manchester City are now Arsenal’s closest competition with a point separating the two.
Mikel Arteta will remain without Martin Odegaard who is recovering from a knee injury that forced him off in the win over West Ham.
It was the third time the Norway international has been forced off the first-half this season with that latest issue the most severe.
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Odegaard is likely to be unavailable until after the November international break at the earliest.
Noni Madueke is looking at a similar timeline as a result of the medial knee ligament injury he suffered against Manchester City last week. The Gunners take on arch-rivals Tottenham on 23 November.
Kai Havertz meanwhile is edging closer to his return after knee surgery but Piero Hincapie is available again after shaking off a groin problem.
Much will depend on how Arsenal fare against Atletico Madrid midweek but in Odegaard’s absence, Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze have emerged as Arteta’s first-choice midfield three.
Up top, Viktor Gyokeres is without a goal in seven games, his longest goal drought since his days at Coventry City.
With Havertz still working his way back, the Sweden international will have another chance to end that run this weekend.
Arsenal XI to face Crystal Palace – Metro prediction
Arteta could very well name the starting XI that beat Fulham at Craven Cottage last Saturday.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace TV channel and kick-off time
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace kicks off at 4:30pm on Sunday 26 October.
You can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event with streaming also available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers.
You can also follow all the action with Metro’s LIVE blog.