This time of year is full of treats - Christmas presents, superfluous amounts of food, and most importantly of all, the glut of festive football packing our calendars. 

Arsenal kick off their Christmas timetable with a trip to Norwich City, who remain nailed to the bottom of the Premier League table, having not picked up a win since November. 

In contrast, Mikel Arteta's side have been in somewhat imperious form of late, having scored 19 goals while only conceding two in their last four games in all competitions. 

The Gunners last Premier League outing saw them run out 4-1 winners against a sorry looking Leeds United. Under Arteta's stewardship, there have been worried cries from Arsenal fans regarding the squad's lack of 'killer instinct', but with their recent form considered, these shouts no longer seem as relevant.

This time last year, The Arsenal were floundering in 15th place in the PL, a stark contradiction to where they find themselves this time round, battling for the European spots in fourth.

Should the Gunners pick up three points in each of their next few games, the table could make for even prettier reading as we head into the second half of this season. 

  • Team news

Arteta will once again have to do without Albert-Sambi Lokonga, Calum Chambers and Pablo Mari, who have all recently tested positive for Covid-19. 

There is also a small doubt regarding the match fitness of right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu, who picked up a muscular issue in the game against Leeds. That said, with the consistency and high-level performances that the Japanese international has put in since his arrival on deadline day, it would come as a surprise not to see him feature at Carrow Road. 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang seems to be continuing his stint on the sidelines following his disciplinary breach that saw him be stripped of the Arsenal captaincy. Arteta has mentioned that he is taking his approach to the situation game-by-game, so it is unclear when we will next see the Gabonese forward take to the pitch again. 

Sead Kolasinac continues to nurse an ankle injury picked up earlier in the season, and will not be available for selection on Sunday. 

(Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
(Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
  • Ones to watch

It would be difficult not to mention the undroppable form of youngster Gabriel Martinelli when previewing this fixture - the Brazilian starlet has taken his opportunity to shine in the starting XI in the absence of Aubameyang. 

Scoring four goals since his return to the side, each of them as sumptuous as the one that preceded it, he is a shoo-in for a place on the left hand side of Arsenal's attack. 

In recent history, Arsenal's back four has always been a weak point when looking at their squad, but with the new additions brought into the team in the summer, it would be foolish to paint them with the same brush. 

The back line of Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Benjamin White and Kieran Tierney have all seemingly developed a great understanding of one-another, reinforcing what was a nervous looking defence in previous seasons. 

Another player showing their class in recent weeks is Martin Odegaard. The Norweigan has started to show Gunners fans that his acquisition in the summer for £30 million was seemingly a very smart piece of business. 

The attacking midfielder has been putting in exemplary performances in Arsenal's recent games, showing his quality both on and off the ball. Odegaard has registered four goals in the PL this term, scoring in three consecutive games - and another goal in the North London Derby earlier this season, so it would come as no surprise to see him continue this form in the fixture on Sunday.

  • Predicted Lineups

Norwich XI: Krul, Aarons, Kabak, Gibson, Williams, Sorensen, Gilmour, McLean, Cantwell, Pukki, Placheta

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Xhaka, Partey, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Saka, Lacazette

  • Kick-off time, how to watch

Norwich vs Arsenal will kickoff at 3pm on Sunday afternoon. The game at Carrow Road has not been selected for broadcast on television.