On Friday night, the Premier League’s final round of fixtures before Christmas Day kicks off with a crucial clash at the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal host Liverpool (19:45), with a top four place at stake.

The Gunners, who lie one point adrift of tomorrow night’s opponents in fifth spot, are seeking revenge after their humiliating 4-0 thrashing at Anfield back in August.

Meanwhile The Reds, who hammered AFC Bournemouth 4-0 at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday, could move within one point of defending league champions Chelsea in the standings with all three points on Friday evening.

With both sides determined to send their fans home happy ahead of the festive period, and keep their top four mission on track, Shoot! has put together our very own Arsenal-Liverpool combined XI…

Do you agree with our selection? Or, which player(s) do you think we have missed out?

Comment below with your tactical suggestions!

*The combined XI follows a traditional 4-3-3 formation and includes ALL players from either squad, regardless of whether they are injured or suspended in reality*

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech (Arsenal)

Despite not being the same player he was during his days at defending Premier League champions Chelsea, Arsenal’s Petr Cech is still preferred by Shoot! over Liverpool’s Simon Mignolet.

The 35-year-old veteran is still an ever present key figure for the hosts, having kept 10 clean sheets in 20 outings in all competitions this season.

Right-back: Joe Gomez (Liverpool)

The first Liverpool player in Shoot!‘s combined XI is defender Joe Gomez, who edges out Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin on form.

Following an injury-hit start to his Reds career, the 20-year-old England international is finally being allowed to make a name for himself and demonstrate his raw talent, with manager Jurgen Klopp in particular reaping the benefits, with Gomez starting 12 of their 18 league games this term.

Centre-back: Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)

It is an all Arsenal centre-half pairing, starting with Frenchman Laurent Koscielny.

The 32-year-old was the first pick of the bunch when it came to selecting Shoot!‘s central defenders, having started 15 of Arsenal’s last 16 Premier League fixtures.

Blessed with strength, aerial threat, a crunching tackle, masterful interception and pace, Koscielny is the sort of player Liverpool would love to have in their ranks.

Centre-back: Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal)

Picked ahead of the likes of Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan from Anfield, is The Gunners’ Shkodran Mustafi.

The 25-year-old returns from injury tomorrow night, and is a credible asset when available for Arsene Wenger’s side, having endeared himself to Arsenal fans after scoring against North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur back in November.

Left-back: Sead Kolasinac (Arsenal)

Arguably one of the best summer signings in the Premier League this campaign, Arsenal’s Sead Kolasinac grabs our final defender spot.

The Bosnia international, 24, has scored three goals and provided four assists in 18 games in all competitions for The Gunners, impressing with his power, pace, ability to get forward and creativity with his dangerous crosses.

Midfielder: Adam Lallana (Liverpool)

Despite not having started a fixture this term for Liverpool, after only just returning from a hamstring injury, midfielder Adam Lallana’s return to fitness is a huge boost for Jurgen Klopp’s men.

The 29-year-old featured against AFC Bournemouth at the weekend, coming on as a second-half substitute, and could be handed his first start of the season at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night.

Midfielder: Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)

Although paper reports are still insisting FC Barcelona are keen on landing the Brazilian during the forthcoming January transfer window, fellow midfielder Philippe Coutinho is giving his all to The Reds and has helped Liverpool put together an unbeaten nine-game run in the top-flight.

The 25-year-old has now netted 10 times in 17 games this term for the Merseysiders, including eight assists, providing that creative spark in the centre of the field for manager Jurgen Klopp.

Midfielder: Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)

The only Gunners star to get into Shoot!‘s midfielder is Mesut Ozil, who is relishing his upturn in form.

Ozil, 29, who is out of contract at Arsenal next summer, has also been linked with a move away in the New Year, but has scored three goals and set up a further five strikes in his last nine league outings for Arsene Wenger’s men.

Right forward: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Undoubtedly the first player named in Shoot!‘s combined XI – Liverpool’s magician, Mohamed Salah.

The 25-year-old Egyptian has been a revelation since arriving at Anfield in the summer from AS Roma in a club-record deal, scoring 20 goals and providing six assists in 26 games overall for The Reds.

Centre forward: Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal)

It was a tough call between selecting Roberto Firmino to create chemistry and creativity up top among his Liverpool team mates, or choose Alexandre Lacazette for a finer cutting edge in front of goal, but we’ve opted for the Arsenal forward to spearhead Shoot!‘s attack.

The 26-year-old, who also arrived at his current club in a club-record deal back in the summer from Lyon, has found the back of the net eight times in 18 Premier League outings.

Left forward: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)

And finally, budging Alexis Sanchez out of the way due to his poor form, Liverpool’s Sadio Mane completes Shoot!‘s combined XI.

The blistering Senegal international, 25, has scored seven goals and registered five assists in 17 games in all competitions for The Reds this term, but was left on the bench by boss Jurgen Klopp at the weekend.