Arsenal take on West Brom this weekend hoping to end a run of two consecutive defeats and continue their pursuit of an illustrious title charge.
The festive period has not brought much joy to the Gunners following two away losses to Everton and Manchester City. Meanwhile, Arsenal's visitors to the Emirates this Monday, West Brom, have lost just once in the last eight games.
The contest is set to be an intriguing affair, with pressure being heaped on the home side to produce a result that can keep them in with a chance of catching Chelsea at the table's summit.
Tony Pulis has never won a Premier League game at the Emirates Stadium and will be hoping to end that nine-season wait on Boxing day.
How is the game going to be won and lost? We take a look at three key battles that will decide the outcome at the Emirates.
Gabriel Paulista vs Salomon Rondon
Venezuelan forward Rondon is lucky to be not suspended for the contest in North London after an apparent slap on Marcus Rojo during the Baggies' defeat to Manchester United.
Nonetheless, Rondon's form has been impressive this season and he'll identify Gabriel Paulista as a potential weakness in the Arsenal backline, with the Brazilian struggling in Shkodran Mustafi's absence.
Gabriel just can't provide the same kind of presence and Wenger must be counting down the days until the German defender returns to fitness.
Alexis Sanchez vs Gareth McAuley
Is there a more devastating forward in Europe at the moment? Alexis Sanchez could be the deciding factor between the two sides this Monday when he comes up against Gareth McAuley.
The Northern Ireland defender is no means the quickest, so his physicality and reading of the game must remain constant throughout the contest.
If Sanchez can be silenced at the Emirates, as he was against Manchester City in the second half, the Baggies have a chance of claiming a shock win.
Mesut Ozil vs Darren Fletcher
Whether Arsenal fans are honest enough to admit it or not, Mesut Ozil owes a big game performance following his shambolic display at the Etihad Stadium last Sunday.
Pulis is likely to task Darren Fletcher with man-marking Ozil and guaranteeing his time on the ball is limited this Monday.
Ozil has the potential to destroy any chance of a Baggies victory if provided with enough space to hurt the men from the Black Country.