3 problems Arsenal need to fix despite their near perfect start

The international break has give us plenty of opportunity to mull over Arsenal's start to the season, so how should we assess things? The Gunners won seven out of seven to start the campaign across all competitions, with many suggesting the champions would cruise to the Premier League title.

However, last weekend's comprehensive 3-0 obliteration at the hands of Brighton has changed the opinions of many, offering a clear reminder of just how difficult this league is. While this is surely not the start of a complete collapse, or anything like it, perhaps the defeat offers Mikel Arteta and his players a timely reality check.

With Arsenal not in action again until 10 October against Leeds, what three areas of his team should Arteta attempt to figure out, during this elongated break?

Declan Rice and Bruno Guimarães midfield combination

Due to an injury the new recruit suffered in the FA Community Shield, Saturday's hammering in Sussex was the first time Bruno Guimarães and Declan Rice had started a match together. While it would be ridiculous to say this was the reason for the defeat, it is clear that the pair need time to gel as a duo. The clearest example of the pair woking together was Guimarães' stunning strike at the Stadium of Light, but in possession they're yet to form a clear understanding.

This raises the Myles Lewis-Skelly question. The teenager had been excellent in the early weeks of the campaign, before being hooked at half time on Wearside, and then left on the bench at Brighton. Thus, right now, does Guimarães actually get into Arsenal's strongest lineup?

Well, during the international break, Declan Rice is being given a fortnight to rest and recuperate. On the other hand, the Brazilian is part of a Seleção squad playing two matches in Australia and then facing India in Kolkata. Thus, it would not be a surprise if the 28 year old is not ready to go against Leeds, but figuring out how to get the best out of him is a key conundrum for Arteta to solve.

Can Eberechi Eze become the first-choice left winger?

As underlined by their pursuits of Vinícius Júnior and Morgan Rogers, Artera is not entirely in love with his left-winger options. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard were both sold, with only Christos Tzolis signed as a replacement. While the Greek international has looked good in flashes, it is pretty clear that he is not yet an elite level difference maker at the highest level.

Thus, many hope that Eberechi Eze will come to the fore and make this left winger spot his own. Well, so far, the 28 year old is yet to overly impress; his best display thus far the second half at Villa Park. Currently away with England, it's unclear how much he will actually play, once Arsenal return to action, figuring out how to unlock Eze's full potential would massively enhance this team's attack.

How do you solve a problem like Viktor Gyökeres?

Has the expression a square peg in a round whole ever been more apt than Viktor Gyökeres in this current Arsenal team? The Gunners simply flow exponentially better when Kai Havertz is leading the line, as underlined during the win over Chelsea.

In contrast, Arteta's team do not play to Gyökeres' strengths, nor he to their's. Across the Swede's two starts, against Napoli and Ipswich, he touched the ball only 27 times during 163 minutes on the field, mustering a miserly one shot and looking disconnected from his team mates.

Given Havertz's injury record, we know he will not be able to play every minute of every game. Thus, like him or not, Gyökeres will be needed, so Arteta has to try and get more out of his striker. He'll be hoping that the Sweden centre-forward bangs in a few goals against Romania, Poland and Bosnia in the Nations League over the next week or so to boost his confidence.

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