Arsenal go into Sunday's clash against Newcastle with both Pablo Mari and Reiss Nelson pushing for a place in the side.
The Gunners return to Premier League action following their two-week winter break, and were busy with final preparations during training on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta put his men through their paces at the club's London Colney training base, as they bid to improve on their current position in the table.
Newcastle come to the Emirates looking for their first league win on the road since the beginning of December, while Arsenal's last victory on home soil came on New Years Day.
Here are five things we noticed from Arsenal's training session...
Good spirits
Any feint hopes Arsenal had of sneaking into the top four have diminished following a poor run of draws since the start of the year.
However the Gunners' squad looked in good spirits as they prepared for their return to action, despite a disappointingly goalless affair with Burnley last time out.
A number of players even stopped to pose for the camera in a jokey photograph, and confidence levels are high after their training camp in Dubai, which seems to have paid dividends.
Mari features
Arteta is hoping new arrival Pablo Mari can be the solution to his side's defensive issues.
The 26-year-old joined on loan from Flamengo at the end of the January transfer window, and could make his debut against The Magpies.
Mari was involved in Saturday's practice, though so too were David Luiz, Shkodran Mustafi, and Rob Holding, which could mean the Spaniard will have to make do with a spot on the bench.
Aubameyang unfazed
A few question marks continue to rumble over the future of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but it doesn't appear to have affected the Arsenal skipper.
The forward was criticised after missing key chances in the bore-draw at Turf Moor earlier this month, in what was his first game back after a three-match suspension.
Aubameyang has also been consistently linked with a transfer elsewhere, with Inter Milan the latest club rumoured to have shown interest.
But such speculation was seemingly far from Aubameyang's mind as he was all smiles, suggesting it's business as usual.
Nelson returns
Arsenal have been boosted by the return of Reiss Nelson, who has recovered from a hamstring problem sustained in January.
The winger scored the winner in last month's FA Cup triumph over Leeds, but was sidelined following a cameo role off the bench against Crystal Palace less than a week later.
His season has stuttered due to injury issues, but providing he can stay fit, he could have a big say in how the remainder of Arsenal's season plays out.
Nketiah involved
Another youngster who has been handed a big opportunity to impress is Eddie Nketiah - and he has so far delivered.
Arteta opted to keep the 20-year-old at close quarters rather than send him back out on loan, and like Nelson, Nketiah could play a hand in the Gunners' success over the coming months.
He has already helped his side reach the next round of the FA Cup with a goal vs Bournemouth.
And the striker was heavily involved in Saturday's training session, battling well with both Sokratis and Holding in the small-sided game.
Nketiah is more likely to be used off the bench should he make an appearance against Newcastle, but he could heap more pressure on those in front of him if he can make an impact.
