Mikel Arteta has already been handed a double international break blow with Arsenal starlets

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Arsenal head into the international break in far from fine form as the side went a whole month in the Premier League without a win.

Mikel Arteta has had a tough time of it with defeats to Bournemouth and Newcastle backed up by difficult draws against Liverpool and Chelsea.

Plenty have tried to diagnose the issues that the Gunners face, be it through injuries, suspensions or general poor performances.

In all, it culminates in Arsenal being nine points off the top of the Premier League and with plenty of work to do.

The manager will be hoping that the international break offers a chance to regroup and push yet again, with some players looking to recover from injuries.

Martin Odegaard only recently made his return from absence, while Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka withdrew from the England squad through injury.

They aren’t the only ones who may be fitness concerns over the coming week or so when it comes to action on the pitch.

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Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly handed busy international schedule

While plenty of star names are away on international duty, it’s also a chance for some of the youngsters to ply their trade at youth level.

Three of those will join up with England as Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Tommy Setford are all with the under-19s squad.

The former two of the trio have been involved in first-team action and could even receive another call to the team after the international break.

Rather frustratingly for Arteta, the outfield youngsters will face three games in the international break rather than the usual two at senior level.

It could heap on yet more pressure and fitness constraints on them as the Young Lions take on Lithuania, Bulgaria and Belgium in the space of seven days.

While that may be a good run out for them to help keep match sharp, there is a concern that they could come back jaded with such an intense fixture schedule.

Given how thin the squad has been this season, the last thing the Arsenal boss could do with is any more fitness or injury concerns.

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Mikel Arteta must trust Arsenal academy in latest fixtures

After the international break, there won’t be another stoppage in the season until March, with the season firmly up and running.

It means less time for some Arsenal stars to recover, be that from injury or general fatigue and tiredness.

Intense games in the Premier League, EFL Cup and Champions League await, which will place some more importance on rotating the squad.

Giving minutes to Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly, Josh Nichols and Ayden Heaven may be the wise thing to do in particular games.

With ten games in just over a month, leaning on the academy and the squad as a whole will be important to any success the side have.

That said, they will be hopeful that everyone returns from the international break in the best condition possible.