The last time Arsenal had to take a break from the club competitions we are involved in because of an international break it could hardly have come at a worse time for us, as we had to suffer those two weeks with the painful memory of a proper beating by Liverpool at Anfield.
This time is also a bad time for the Gunners, but for a very different reason. Having won six and drawn one of the games since the last international break, Arsene Wenger and the players would have loved to just carry on, as the boss suggested in his comments after the win over Brighton, but now they must make sure that they pick up where they left off when the Premier League starts again next weekend.
Arsenal fans should not worry too much though, be4cause we have good reasons to be optimistic about our team being focused and hitting the ground running again. For one thing, Wenger seems to have a different mentality going on at the club right now and he seems determined to keep the lads on their toes.
Perhaps more important, though, is the fact that a lot of our internationals have not gone off to join up with their respective nations, mainly due to injury. Theo Walcott has not been selected for England once again but other Gunners ruled out include Ozil, Koscielny and Welbeck.
According to the sports injury website physioroom.com these are all due back for the next EPL match away to Watford, as are Francis Coquelin and Calum Chambers and this in itself should give the Gunners plenty of impetus. It also means that Wenger will be able to work with and talk to the majority of his team over the next two weeks.
So will Arsenal come back with a bang and carry on pushing for the Premier League title do you think?
Bob.