Mikel Arteta has made big decisions on Declan Rice and Kai Havertz for Arsenal's clash against Bournemouth. The latter returned to the matchday squad against Aston Villa but has been left out due to load management, as confirmed by Arteta, while Rice starts after missing that 4-1 victory.
He picked up a knee issue early into the game against Brighton, but has fought back to be involved at Vitality Stadium.
Other notable decisions include Bukayo Saka being taken out of the starting XIwith Noni Madueke set to be deployed on the right. Gabriel Martinelli has also come into the front three, with Leandro Trossard named on the bench.
Otherwise, Arteta has named an unchanged team with Viktor Gyokeres remaining up top and Gabriel Magalhaes starting again after coming off with cramp earlier in the week.
A few changes for this evening's clash is likely because of the huge match against Liverpool set for next Thursday at Emirates Stadium.
Rice looked set to be rested against Bournemouth with that game in mind; however, he has made a return to the starting XI. Arteta's update on Friday suggested it would be a close call, but it was later revealed that he had travelled with the squad.
Asked if the swelling around his knee had gone down, the Arsenal boss said: "Well, not yet. We have another session today. Let's see how he comes today and how that's feeling, but it was too early that game for him."
In addition to Havertz, Arsenal are without Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera while Max Dowman is also sidelined.
Rice joins Gabriel Jesus, Jurrien Timber, Gabriel and Ben White as recent returners with the latter on the bench.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, have named an unchanged XI from the thrilling 2-2 draw against Chelsea. Despite a seemingly imminent move to Manchester City, Antoine Semenyo starts again with James Hill retaining his place at centre-back.
With their main title rivals not in action until Sunday evening against Chelsea, Arsenal have the chance to extend their lead at the top to six points. That follows Aston Villa getting back to winning ways earlier today when they beat Nottingham Forest 3-1.
The Gunners got two huge title boosts earlier this week, one of which was their win over Unai Emery's side.
The other was Sunderland claiming a point against City at the Stadium of Light - a place where Arsenal were also unable to win.
Following the games against Bournemouth and Liverpool, Mikel Arteta's side take on Portsmouth, Chelsea, Forest, Inter, Manchester United, Kairat and Leeds United across three different competitions.
