Mathieu Flamini has admitted battling to drag Arsenal to the top of the Premier League has taken its toll on exhausted Gunners stars.
And tough-tackling midfielder believes the international break will give some of his team-mates the chance to take a break from the intensity of the top flight.
He said: “I think it the break comes at a really good time because we have played a lot. Obviously everybody is tired physically and tired mentally because you have to give 200 per cent in every single game.
“For us it is a chance to have players coming back into the group like maybe Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla. I hope everyone will be back soon.”
Flamini, 29, has provided a solid backbone to Arsene Wenger’s rearguard activity and supporters have been reminded of how influential he was during his previous spell in north London.
But Flamini argues the Premier League is not more difficult to play in now as opposed to then.
He added: “I don’t think it is harder – the Premier League was very hard before and it is still as hard as before. Top players were playing in the Premier League before and top players are still playing in the Premier League now. That means it’s very physical and very quick from one side to another.
“The transition from the defence to the attack is very quick. We have a lot of space also and of course for me it is the most difficult championship. We can see that every time on the pitch.”
Arsenal are next in action when they host NorwichCity in the Premier League at the Emirates on October 19.
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