Arsenal have the chance to temporarily go 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League on Saturday when they host away-day specialists Everton at Emirates Stadium (17:30 GMT).
The Gunners are in action before title rivals Manchester City – who travel to West Ham United later in the day – and can put the pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side. Even with two games in hand, a double-digit deficit would feel like a lot for the chasers to claw back.
Everton represent stern opposition though, especially when they are on their travels. They have the fourth-best away record in the division this season and a European push is very much on the cards for David Moyes' side. They sit eighth going into the weekend fixtures.
Stacked Arsenal squad can crank up the pressure
It is Arsenal's turn to try to put the heat on City this weekend. After Pep Guardiola's side were annihilated 3-0 by Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek, they could be a little fragile heading into their fixture at London Stadium.
Arsenal, by comparison, seem to be settling well into the run-in grind and will be buoyed by their 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen thanks to a late Kai Havertz penalty.
If the Gunners were to win on Saturday then it would be their biggest advantage at the top so far this season. The nine-point gap they had on 7 February over City and Aston Villa was their largest, although City had played a game fewer at that point.
With the matches coming thick and fast, there will be an onus on Mikel Arteta to use his squad effectively. It is something he has done well so far, especially in terms of his in-game changes.
This season, the Gunners have more goal contributions from substitutes than any other team.
One player who could relish this encounter is Gabriel Jesus. He has eight goals and one assist in 15 appearances against the Toffees, meaning they are his favourite opponent since moving to the Premier League.
Can Everton continue remarkable away run?
While Everton have found it tough settling into life at their new stadium, Moyes has found a formidable formula on the road.
Since he returned to Merseyside to manage the club last January, only Arsenal have earned more points from away games. This season, it is also only the Gunners who have picked up more wins on the road.
Crucially, Everton may be the team best placed to cope with Arsenal's set-piece effectiveness. So far this season, the Toffees have not conceded a goal from a set-piece away from home; they are the only team in the league who have not.
The Blues' blueprint is clear in their away matches. They sit deep, look to remain tight and then try to pinch something from their attacking forays.
They do not mind surrendering the ball either. Everton have averaged the lowest amount of possession of all Premier League teams in away games this season.
Counter-attacking isn't something they rely on often, although they are effective when they do.
No team has produced fewer fast breaks than Everton's 13 this season, but the Blues have scored three times from them, which is the joint-seventh-best tally in the league.
