The Gunners here in the Tavern are looking to find a way of making Champions League football the norm once again, after suffering a drop down in level to the Europa League.

Now, with the end of the year edging ever-closer, Arsenal will be somewhat disappointed with the start they’ve made to this season, as a Champions League spot is looking unlikely once again.

But, having picked things up over the festive period, it now looks as if Arsene Wenger could be planning an inspired march towards a top 4 spot in the New Year, with a second successive year without Champions League football surely spelling the end for the Frenchman.

However, with their next-match seeing them face a trip to a Crystal Palace side that managed to end Chelsea’s unbeaten run already this season, they’ll be wary of the opposition causing yet another upset.

Yet, with injuries to Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey in recent weeks, it’s caused for Arsene Wenger to put much of the blame on a busy festive period.

Nevertheless, with Arsenal looking to end the new-year in high spirits, Roy Hodgson and his men stand no chance if Arsene Wenger fields this starting XI.

GK: Petr Cech

The Czech has always been a consistent performer in the Gunners side, with his reflexes seemingly getting sharper with age.

With the unreliable David Ospina waiting in the wings, Petr Cech hasn’t struggled to make the position his own. Truly a safe pair of hands, even if his stunning Chelsea days are far behind him.

LB: Ainsley Maitland-Niles

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has enjoyed his breakthrough season in the Arsenal shirt, with impressive performances in the Europa League rewarding him with more Premier League opportunities.

Now, looking to improve upon his recent form in the first-team, the consistency he provides at 20-years-old is already superior to that of Sead Kolasinac’s.

CB: Laurent Koscielny

Arsenal’s skipper has always been a standout performer for the Gunners, with their defensive solidity mainly being down to how this man plays.

Arsene Wenger will have no hesitation in including him in the line-up, against what is a fast-paced Crystal Palace attack. Will need to be at his best, though that’s all he gives for Arsenal whenever he takes to the field.

CB: Nacho Monreal

After being asked to play in the newly-found position of centre-back for the Spanish defender, he’s relished the opportunity with Maitland-Niles taking his place at left-back.

Having impressed over the festive period, Arsenal have found themselves a new central defender it seems. Aside from a 15-minute collapse against Southampton a few weeks ago, the former Malaga man is usually rather reliable.

RB: Hector Bellerin

The Spanish defender has become their first-choice right-back for quite a while now, due to his ability to offer an attacking intent as well as ensuring defensive solidity.

With the likes of Wilfried Zaha running at the defence, Wenger is going to need Bellerin to utilize every inch of his pace.

CM: Granit Xhaka

Indeed, after receiving criticism over the course of the last campaign, the midfield player has worked on his game which has become visible in this year’s performances.

As the extra creative spark in the middle of the midfield, he offers the Arsenal side an extra dynamic moving forward. When he’s on form, it’s hard to get past the Swiss.

CM: Jack Wilshere

With there still being over 24 hours before the start of their next encounter, who knows whether this man will succumb to an injury in that time, but one thing fans do know is that since returning from injury he’s been in sensational form for the club.

Now safely classed as a regular starter for the Gunners, he’ll be looking to kick on from here to reach the level he was at during his heyday.

RAM: Danny Welbeck

After scoring in the League Cup quarter-finals he’ll be looking to take this form through to the new year with him, for a player that’s struggled to make it into the starting line-up.

With Wenger very rewarding for individual efforts, Danny Welbeck should have done enough to force a place over Alex Iwobi.

CAM: Mesut Ozil

After being labelled as one of the laziest players in the Premier League, he’s soon re-discovered the special form that many Arsenal fans haven’t seen in a while, after scoring a net-buster against Newcastle United.

With the magic that Ozil can posses on his day, the manager sees him as an important part of the side.

LAM: Alexis Sanchez

Although this may be his last month playing for the Gunners he still manages to put in some pleasing performances, even if he hasn’t replicated the form of last season.

A game-changer that any manager would love to have in their side, so for that reason there’s no way he can be left out. However, he needs to buck his ideas up after seemingly throwing a strop of late.