2020 has been an unprecedented year for everyone, none more so than Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta who has overseen the worst start to a Gunners season in almost 50 years.
What started as a 'cultural overhaul' has turned into complicated first full campaign in the Premier League as Arteta's side struggle to create, shoot and most importantly - score goals.
The FA Cup win in August feels like it happened a long time ago but it shouldn't be forgotten. That achievement reminded the footballing world of Arteta's qualities and how he's able to get the maximum out of a fractious squad, with many players set to leave over the coming months.
Tuesday night's Carabao Cup quarter-final match against Manchester City presents itself as an opportunity to boost confidence and progress to another Wembley cup semi-final. Arteta faces his old protege Pep Guardiola at a time when victory could salvage some much-needed relief away from the dismal domestic performances.
Arteta was tight-lipped on what kind of team he could field at Emirates Stadium for the cup clash, but fans have clamoured to see their latest young talents in the starting line-up. Gabriel Martinelli has returned to full fitness and made a cameo appearance towards the end of Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Everton on Saturday.
However, Arteta doesn't want Martinelli to be pressured and knows that he won't be able to single-handedly save the Gunners' season, even if his supreme technical ability and forward-thinking play makes him one of the most exciting players to watch in the league.
As far as the line-up is concerned, Bernd Leno is likely to continue between the sticks and it would be a surprise to see Alex Runarsson given game time for an important cup match.
Cedric Soares has proven to be an adequate back-up at right-back and will most likely start in that wing back position as he looks to provide a solid defensive and attacking base from the right flank.
Gabriel has served his one-match suspension and gives the Gunners a solid defensive option at the back, while Pablo Mari's return from injury means it's likely that he will face his former club.
Mari never played under Pep Guardiola during his spell at the Etihad but will be determined to prove himself and show that it was a mistake for City to let him leave.
Sead Kolasinac is Arsenal's second choice left-back and it would make sense to start him in this match, but Arteta has alternate options in Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Bukayo Saka and Kieran Tierney if he prefers.
The defensive base of midfield could prove crucial for the Gunners on Tuesday night and it wouldn't be a surprise for Arteta to select a relatively strong partnership there to cancel out City's dangerous attacking options.
But it's the attack where Arteta faces his biggest selection dilemmas. Fans have called for Emile Smith Rowe to start and the signs are promising after he was named in the past two consecutive matchday squads.
Smith Rowe's creative ability would make him a key player in the final third for Arsenal and it's possible that Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah could feature upfront.
Folarin Balogun is also in contention to start although he's yet to be named in a first team starting XI this season, with Arteta preferring to stick with Nketiah and co.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Bernd Leno; Cedric Soares, Gabriel, Pablo Mari, Sead Kolasinac; Mohamad Elneny; Joe Willock, Dani Ceballos, Emile Smith Rowe, Alexandre Lacazette, Eddie Nketiah.
