Arsenal go into this week's Champions League clash with Girona knowing they are essentially already through to the round of 16 stage of the competition.

With the Gunners currently third in the league phase having acquired 16 points, their impressive goal difference means they will probably avoid the two-legged knockout play-off even if they lose in Spain on Wednesday. Going through to the last-16 was always the objective for Mikel Arteta, but the Spaniard will want to beat Girona as it could mean Arsenal go above Barcelona and into second, if the La Liga giants slip up against Atalanta.

"I know that we are in a really, really good position," Arteta said last week after the 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb. "A lot of things have to happen. So still, you know, we have to do our job, go to Girona, try to win the game."

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With Arsenal in such a commanding position, it could be a decent time for Arteta to give some of his key stars a rest, especially with Man City coming to Emirates Stadium on Sunday. We probably won't see Neto make his Gunners debut, though, as David Raya is expected to keep his place between the sticks.

At centre-back it makes sense to play Jakub Kiwior and give one of Gabriel or William Saliba a rest. A lot may depend on how the Frenchman feels as he was a doubt going into the trip to Wolves. Riccardo Calafiori is another option to play at centre-back, although the Italian may well play at left-back instead of Myles Lewis-Skelly, who at this time is suspended for the next three domestic matches. On the right side of defence Jurrien Timber will most probably continue as he's the only fit right-back at the club at the minute.

In midfield, it makes sense to play Jorginho in this one and give Thomas Partey a rest. Martin Odegaard missed the clash at Wolves with illness while Mikel Merino was also absent after picking up a knock in training. Ideally at least one of them will travel to Spain and it will probably most likely be the captain, who could even replace Ethan Nwaneri in the starting line-up from the weekend. Declan Rice looks set to continue in the left No.8 role.

Kai Havertz will most likely lead the line against Girona but Arteta has some decisions to make on the wings. Yet to prove himself this season, this could be one of the final chances Raheem Sterling gets to impress Arsenal supporters before we get into the business end of the season. If the Chelsea loanee doesn't start this one, you have to start to question why he's being kept around. Gabriel Martinelli could start on the other side, given Leandro Trossard played the full match against Wolves.

Possible Arsenal team to take on Girona: Raya; Timber, Kiwior, Gabriel, Calafiori; Jorginho, Odegaard, Rice; Sterling, Havertz, Martinelli.