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With as many as seven teams now fighting for top four spots in the Premier League, there are bound to be blockbuster games every other weekend. And this weekend sees Arsenal travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool.
The two teams were evenly matched last season and were separated by just a point at the end of the campaign as Jurgen Klopp's side qualified for the Champions League at the Gunners' expense.
Arsene Wenger's side find themselves in a similar situation this time - a point behind Liverpool. But the season is still very young.
But who among the 22 players would get into a Combined XI of both teams?
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Formation: 4-2-3-1
Goalkeeper
Petr Cech or Simon Mignolet? Neither goalkeeper is currently at the top of their game and the two team's lack of clean sheets on a consistent basis point to problems at the back.
Picking a goalkeeper from among these two is not about picking the best. Rather, it is about picking the 'keeper who is least inconsistent.
And in this case it is Simon Mignolet. Cech's best days are sadly past him and after a stellar first season at the Emirates where he did save those 15 points John Terry predicted, the 35-year-old is no longer the confident shot stopper who is a reliable last line of defence.
On the other hand, Mignolet ended the 2016/17 season strong and he also accomplishes the one thing Cech has failed to do in recent sesons - save penalties!
Centre-Backs
Arsenal have had a centre-back crisis at the start of the season which forced Wenger to stick Nacho Monreal in the centre of a back-three in the 1-0 loss to Stoke City. Luckily for him, he can now call upon Laurent Koscielny to marshal the back-line again.
The French defender was suspended for the FA Cup final last season and the first two games of the season thanks to a red card in the final league game of the 2016/17 campaign.
His return will strengthen the Gunners rearguard and the captain's armband on a reliable player will be welcome sight for the Arsenal faithful.
Partnering him in defence will be Liverpool's reliable 26-year-old centre-back Joel Matip. The Cameroonian defender stands just a shade below 6'5" and has been Klopp's best defender in a while - with the player so happy with the game time that he declined to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Matip is also capable of being a threat on set-pieces - a potent goal threat which makes him a valuable member of the squad.
Full-Backs
Klopp is one of few top managers who has refused to switch to a back-three and the German boss has stuck to the traditional top four - and so have we. Liverpool have their problems in defence (especially on set pieces) but their full-backs are instrumental in attack as well.
On the right is Liverpool's new young sensation Trent Alexander-Arnold. Fans at Anfield were worried about how Klopp would manage without Nathaniel Clyne who is recovering from injuries to his back and hamstring but 18-year-old Alexander-Arnold has held his own so far on the right.
What's more, the youngster even managed to score in the Champions League playoff with a delightful free-kick against Hoffenheim. Liverpool's Young Player of the Season last year has all the qualities of a full-back who can attack thanks to his pace and dribbling skills.
On the left is Arsenal's new summer signing - Sead Kolasinac. The versatile Bosnian international can play in a variety of roles (left back, left wing-back and centre-back) but his propensity to make intelligent forward runs has helped the Gunners in attack this season.
The fact that Wenger got him for free has left many baffled, wondering how such a good, technical player was available on a Bosman after so many impressive performances in the Budnesliga that saw him voted into the Team of the Season.
Central Midfield
Since we're going with a 4-2-3-1 formation, it's a tough ask picking two central midfielders from the list of available options.
One of the positions goes to Aaron Ramsey. The Welsh midfielder has the lungs of a horse and does not stop running over 90 minutes.
The back-three at Arsenal has given him some freedom to make runs into the final third where he does get himself into positions to score or create chances.
Alongside him was a choice between two powerful midfielders. While it is tempting to pick Granit Xhaka, we've gone with Emre Can. Xhaka has definitely improved since his arrival in England with his range of passing and holding on to the ball but he is prone to the odd error that has cost Arsenal points.
On the other hand, Can has proved to be a capable passer and a strong tackler in midfield. There were times last season when he supplanted Jordan Henderson in the lineup after the latter struggled with injuries.
The German also managed to get on the score sheet twice against Hoffenheim with his late arrival in the box.
Attacking Midfield
Liverpool's formation does not allow for the traditional playmaker in the no.10 role but Arsenal's tactics surely does. Which is why Mesut Ozil makes this lineup. The German playmaker may not have the goals and assists yet but he has certainly created a number of chances so far to make the lineup.
The season is only two games old but Ozil has already created 10 chances - more than anyone else in the Premier League.
While pundits criticise him for his apparent lack of effort, they fail to recognise his significant contributions (he is also among the league's best for take-ons completed so far) just because his temamates fail to convert their chances.
On either side of him are two players who were the best players for their respective clubs last season - Alexis Sanchez and Sadio Mane.
Alexis was Arsenal's top goalscorer with 24 goals in the league while Mane found the back of the net 13 times for Liverpool. The two players lifted their teams out of trouble on a number of occasions.
Alexis played either as a striker or out wide depending on the personnel on the pitch while Mane was ever-present on the flank for Liverpool, driving the ball forward and a major threat on the counter-attack.
Centre-Forward
With so many options up front from both teams, this was the toughest choice to make. Arsenal's record signing Alexandre Lacazette has shown potential, even scoring less than two minutes into his debut while Olivier Giroud was on hand to score the winner in the first game.
But Liverpool's Roberto Firmino gets the nod this time. The Brazilian was one of the key players in the Reds' unorthodox mobile front line which allows Liverpool to transition well.
He also loves drifting out to the left at times which also explains why almost 44% of Liverpool's attacks come down that flank. His interplay with Mane, Coutinho (and now Salah) and movement across the front line gives defenders a headache as marking him becomes a team effort.
Giroud is a good shout but he is the perfect Plan B if this attacking lineup fails and physicality with a deft touch is required in the final third.
