Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal players do not need to be told that the Premier League match at West Ham this weekend is a must win game, because every game from now on, and even before the recent international break, are must win games for the Gunners to have any chance of the EPL title this season.
But looking at the reasonably friendly fixture list Arsenal have when compared to our two main rivals, this away game at West Ham stands out and if we can take all three points then our challenge really would start to look realistic rather than a pipe dream.
The reason for that, however, is that our opponents are flying high and in good form and they have already beaten us once this season, in that shock opening day reverse. So this game tomorrow really is a big one and Wenger needs to get his team selection and tactics just right.
For me that could mean a return to the starting line-up of Per Mertesacker, for a few reasons. The first is that the vastly experienced World Cup winning defender has been there and done that and is a leader on the pitch. Tomorrow´s game will be played in a highly charged atmosphere and cool heads could be hard to come by and our vice-captain could be vital in that respect.
Then you have the possibility that West Ham could start with Andy Carroll up front and the England international can cause any team serious problems in the air. I know which of our defenders I would rather have up against him at corners and free kicks.
Then you have the Payet scenario, with free kicks around the box seeming to be almost as good as a penalty for the Frenchman at the minute. Mertesacker´s disciplinary record is pretty awesome and he very rarely commits fouls, while Gabriel has a tendency to rush in and that could prove highly costly with Payet on the pitch.
So is it time for the Arsenal boss to bring the BFG back?