As Arsenal fans, we usually look forward to an international break with something combining p0anic, dread and resignation, as the Gunners have had more than their fair share of players picking up injuries while with their countries.
But this one has actually come at a good time for Arsene Wenger and could be just what Arsenal need to put the slow start to the season behind us and come out with all guns blazing. For one thing, it comes at a time when the Arsenal squad is stretched quite thinly but we have quite a few key players close to a comeback.
And this break gives Arsene Wenger some much needed time to work with his players on the training field, because the World Cup, injuries and our heavy fixture schedule have not really made that possible. And this break is better than usual for us because a lot of the Gunners are not involved for various reasons.
So Wenger will have Mertesacker, Monreal, maybe Arteta, Flamini, Diaby, Coquelin, Sanogo, Walcott, Gnabry and the players from the academy like Isaac Hayden and Gedion Zelalem who can all work hard together and get used to what Wenger wants from them. Also, with Calum Chambers picking up his 5th Premier League booking against Chelsea, it gives the manager a good amount of time to work with Hector Bellerin and get him ready for Hull City a week on Saturday.
Then you have the fringe players like Podolski, Campbell, Ospina and Rosicky who should all get some valuable playing time, so could this be the best international break in many a year for Arsenal?