How Arsenal could line up against Huddersfield Town

Arsenal will be aiming to maintain pace with Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for a top-four finish when they head to Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

The Gunners have struggled for consistency over the past six weeks, having won five, drawn one and lost six of their last 12 matches in all competitions.

Following back-to-back wins over Chelsea and Cardiff City in the Premier League, Arsenal suffered a 3-1 loss at the hands of Manchester City last weekend and are now three points adrift of the final Champions League spot.

Ahead of this weekend's trip to the John Smith's Stadium, Sports Mole looks at how the visitors could line up as they seek a return to winning ways.

Out: Granit Xhaka (groin), Sokratis Papastathopoulos (ankle), Hector Bellerin (knee), Rob Holding (knee), Danny Welbeck (ankle) Doubtful: Shkodran Mustafi (back), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (knee)

Mustafi injured his back in the defeat to Man City last weekend and is considered a doubt for Saturday's meeting with Huddersfield, possibly seeing him join fellow defenders Sokratis, Holding and Bellerin on the sidelines.

Unai Emery may therefore have to turn to the inexperienced Konstantinos Mavropanos alongside Laurent Koscielny in the heart of defence for just his fourth Premier League start.

A four-man backline seems the obvious choice given the circumstances, with Maitland-Niles also expected to miss out with a knee problem. Following Stephan Lichtsteiner's terrible display at the Etihad Stadium, there could be a return for Carl Jenkinson at right-back.

After making a 25-minute appearance from the bench last time out, meanwhile, January loan signing Denis Suarez is in line for his full debut, while Emery must choose between Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil in attacking midfield.

Alexandre Lacazette has scored nine goals in the Premier League this season, seven of those being the winning goal, and he is almost certain to retain his place alongside top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.