Arsenal have a real chance to put some huge pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea when they welcome Watford to the Emirates on Tuesday evening.
With two London derbies to come this week, Arsene Wenger has a near enough fully fit squad to play with, despite some problems in the middle of the park.
Saturday’s 5-0 win over Southampton put plenty of Gunners in good light ahead of a massive weekend, meaning the the boss will have a huge selection headache.
Watford aren’t having such a barrel of laughs at the minute, having been dumped out of the FA Cup by Milwall and their last league win coming on December 10th.
If it wasn’t for Walter Mazzarri’s side having an impressive start to the campaign, they could well be sitting in the relegation zone with their form at the moment.
However, a well rested squad will be given the chance to make amends on Tuesday night, as Watford go in search of a result that would end Arsenal’s title challenge.
Arsenal Team News
The big news is that despite some concern regarding their omission from the Saints game, Ramsey, Ozil and Coquelin will all return to the squad.
That helps Arsenal’s midfield situation big time, but Oxlade-Chamberlain is in contention to keep his place after a fantastic performance paying in a more deep-lying position.
Mohamed Elneny remains an absentee after Egypt progressed in the AFCON, whilst Granit Xhaka will serve the second of his four game suspension.
Santi Cazorla is the only real injury to contend with now, and Arsene Wenger believes the little Spaniard could still make an impact towards the end of the season.
Arsenal Absentees: S. Cazorla, M. Elneny, G. Xhaka (suspended)
Predicted Line-Up (4-2-3-1): Cech, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Walcott, Ozil, Iwobi, Alexis
Watford Team News
There could be debuts for Watford duo Mauro Zarate and M’Baye Niang after the attacking pair signed with the struggling London side.
Former Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes is sure to start after Costel Pantillimon picked up a nasty ankle injury in the FA Cup, and that’s just the start of the injury issues.
Watford have doubts over the availability of Valon Behrami and Christian Kabasele, but with so many players rested from the weekend it’s not Mazzarri’s biggest problem.
Jose Holebas will serve the final game of his two match suspension, whilst goalscorer when the sides last met, Roberto Pereyra, has still got a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Adrian Mariappa and Isaac Success are both missing from the choices as well, so it looks as if Watford will line up in similar fashion to the side that drew 2-2 with Bournemouth.
Watford Absentees: N. Amrabat, V. Behrami (doubt), J. Holebas, C. Kabasele, A. Mariappa, C. Pantilimon, R. Pereyra, I. Success
Predicted Line-Up (3-4-2-1): Gomes, Kaboul, Prodl, Britos, Zarate, Behrami, Capoue, Cleverly, Okaka, Niang, Deeney
Want more Arsenal news like this? Follow us on Twitter @Fresh_Arsenal!