This weekend sees Arsenal return to Premier League action, after a rare weekend free of action. The Gunners’ exit from the FA Cup at the third round stage meant that the squad have had extra time to work with Mikel Arteta.

The Arsenal boss has taken advantage of the extra time and took his squad off for a warm weather training camp in Dubai. There, they will be preparing for the trip to take on Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday (12.30pm kick-off).

The camp has seen a couple of players return to fitness. Defender Ben White has returned to training with his teammates after undergoing surgery on a knee injury back in November.

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Bukayo Saka is also part of the travelling squad to Dubai as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring injury. The winger is expected to be back in March.

That would be a welcome boost for Arteta and his side, given the title race with Liverpool. The Gunners currently sit six points behind their rivals, but with a lot of games still left to play, they have hope of closing that gap. Here’s some big fixtures that will have a say on if that’s possible or not.

Everton vs Liverpool (Wednesday, 12 February, 7.30pm kick-off)

What’s more of a leveller than a local derby? And there are not too many bigger than the Merseyside derby, especially the final one at Goodison Park. The fixture is being played this week after initially being postponed due to storm Darragh.

Everton are in good form under new manager David Moyes and will be determined to get one over on their rivals. It will provide a tough test for Liverpool, who will still be reeling from their FA Cup defeat against Plymouth.

Man City vs Liverpool (Sunday, 23 February, 4.30pm kick-off)

Another Liverpool game that could have a big impact. Reigning champions Man City haven’t looked like the same team this season but are slowly getting back to where they were following a torrid run of form earlier in the campaign. The game has been somewhat of a spectacle over the last few years - Arsenal will be hoping City can again get one over on Liverpool to give them a boost in the title race.

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal (Wednesday, 26 February, 7.30pm kick-off)

Nottingham Forest have surprised everyone with their position in the table this season and will provide a tough test to Mikel Arteta’s side, especially with their playing style. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men aren’t afraid to sit behind the ball and then hit teams on the counter-attack, and it’s proved to be effective.

Given Arsenal’s problems in the final third, it will pose a test to the side. They were, however, able to overcome Forest 3-0 in the reverse fixture, a result they will look to replicate.

Liverpool vs Everton (Wednesday, 2 April, 8pm kick-off)

Less than two months after the meeting at Goodison Park, the reverse fixture of the Merseyside derby takes place. Like the game at Everton, the Toffees will be determined to do what they can to stop their rivals from winning the league and help Arsenal close the gap at the top of the table.

Liverpool vs Arsenal (Saturday, 10 May, 3pm kick-off)

Probably the biggest match of the lot - the proverbial six-pointer. The fixture could potentially virtually decide where the title ends up at the end of the season or could mean that it’s race on in the final couple of weeks.

Final day fixtures (Sunday, 25 May, 4pm kick-off)

Given the gap that Liverpool currently have over Arsenal, the Gunners will be happy if the transfer race goes down to the final day. The Gunners do have the disadvantage of playing away from home; they do, however, face a Southampton side that are expected to be relegated and may have nothing to play for.

Liverpool are at home against Crystal Palace, who look set for a mid-table finish.

Southampton vs Arsenal

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace