After a steady but far from brilliant start to the season, Arsenal really need to get going after this international break. But our next two fixtures could not be harder, on paper anyway, with Man City coming to the Emirates on Saturday and the Gunners off to face Borussia Dortmund in Germany just three days later.
But Arsenal have reason for confidence in both games. Neither of these big hitters has really shone yet this season either, and they each lost one of their main players to injury this week, so can Arsene Wenger and his players take advantage?
First up is the visit of City, who may still be reeling after the shock home defeat by Stoke City in their last Premier League outing, so a fast start by Arsenal at home is definitely the order of the day, while I am sure that former United man Welbeck will be extra keen to inflict more damage on his old enemies.
They had been very impressive in the previous game against Liverpool, but their star that day was Stevan Jovetic and according to a Metro report, the striker is a major doubt after injuring himself on international duty with Montenegro.
Dortmund have lost Marco Reus and they also lost their first home game of the season at home and only narrowly beat minnows FC Augsburg in their last match. Of course, Arsenal should not expect either game to be easy but we should believe and realise that this could be a very good time to play them. So can Arsenal take advantage?