Arsenal will be targeting a third straight Premier League victory when they take on a struggling West Bromwich Albion side at the Hawthorns on Saturday night.
The Gunners have won their last two against Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion, although a disappointing season to date has left them in 13th position in the table.
Mikel Arteta's side have lost four of their eight away matches in the league this season but will fancy their chances of beating a West Brom outfit that currently occupy 19th spot.
Here, Sports Mole looks at how Arsenal could line up in their first match of 2021.
Out: Gabriel Magalhaes (coronavirus), Thomas Partey (thigh)
Doubtful: David Luiz (illness), Willian (illness), Bukayo Saka (knock), Reiss Nelson (muscle)
> Click here for Arsenal's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match
Arsenal will again be without the services of Gabriel Magalhaes due to coronavirus, while fellow summer arrival Thomas Partey remains unavailable for selection due to a thigh problem.
Willian and David Luiz have both recently been absent due to illness, but the pair should be available on Saturday, while Bukayo Saka is expected to overcome a knock.
Arteta could decide to select the same XI that took to the field against Brighton, with Gabriel Martinelli, Emile Smith Rowe and Saka operating behind lone forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Alexandre Lacazette scored the winner at the Amex and is in contention, though, with Arteta now facing a selection dilemma in the final third of the field.
There are unlikely to be any changes to the back four or midfield two, meaning that the likes of Dani Ceballos and Ainsley Maitland-Niles will have to accept spots on the bench once again.
Willian and Luiz, meanwhile, are expected to be named among the substitutes as the London club have performed impressively without the Brazilian pair.
Matt Law
