Arsenal: November the time to cash in on European hiatus?

Let’s keep the recovery going! Just ten weeks after enduring their worst start to a domestic campaign in 67 years, Arsenal will be hoping to make it three Premier League wins in a row this weekend when they host Watford at the Emirates.

The Gunners have been in remarkable form since the September international break – claiming 17 points out of a possible 21 – and could find themselves level with fourth place if they secure three more on Sunday. However, while we currently look capable of grabbing a top four spot on merit, the midweek challenges troubling our rivals suggest this is an opportune moment to capitalise on our European hiatus.

Although many of us are familiar with the theoretical benefits of no continental commitments, this week saw the first tangible results of such unwanted luxuries emerge. First to Wednesday night, when Raphael Varane sustained a hamstring injury during Manchester United’s last-gasp Ronaldo-inspired draw in Bergamo.

Despite the Frenchman’s limited game time of late – owing to previous injury-related issues – he has still managed to make an impact on Solskjaer’s side and the Red Devils were noticeably less convincing at the back after his withdrawal. His reported 3-4 week absence is bound to come as a huge blow for their already suspect defence this month, and they have some difficult games to navigate including the Manchester derby, a trip to Chelsea and a difficult group-stage tie against Villarreal.

Can Arsenal capitalise on their lack of European football this weekend when they host Watford in the Premier League?

Meanwhile, both West Ham and Leicester also fielded strong sides on Thursday night despite a quick turnaround to their similarly daunting upcoming matches, and although the Foxes’ European status is somewhat in the balance following their 1-1 draw with Spartak Moscow, they are still very much in contention to join David Moyes’ side in the arduous knockout stages of the Europa League.

As Arsenal fans will no doubt be aware, rotation and squad management will take on added significance for every side competing in Europe as the season progresses, and while no one would wish injury on others, battling on multiple fronts will inevitably take its toll on already over-exerted squads.

The extra time off is something we can take advantage of straight away, with Arteta’s side having just three games to prepare for this month – two of which involve teams battling at the wrong end of the table – and ample time to recover between each one.

Furthermore, following confirmation that Kieran Tierney is back in training and could feature on Sunday, the manager has a fully-fit squad at his disposal bar Granit Xhaka’s continued absence. And he appears to be getting the best out of them, with the defence keeping four clean-sheets in seven league matches and Emile Smith Rowe spearheading a revitalised Gunners’ attack.

Of course, the last thing we need right now is complacency, and although a win against Watford may not grab the same headlines as last week’s victory at Leicester or the recent North London Derby, three points are three points and we can expect a battling performance from Ranieri’s Hornets, who put five past Everton at Goodison Park only two weeks ago.

Nevertheless, these are the types of games we need to win and the team is arguably in the best form it has been in since Arteta’s arrival. Challenging circumstances elsewhere mean Premier League points may well be dropped over the coming game-weeks, and it is imperative that Arsenal cash in on any encouragement that comes their way.