After two straight wins, and emphatic ones at that, Arsenal will want to make it three in a row when they play Stoke City at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. The extra bonus of a win will be joining Chelsea atop the Premier League standings, even if only for a day.
Arsenal were quite impressive in their last Premier League match, beating West Ham United 5-1, with Alexis Sanchez scoring a hat-trick. There was another hat-trick from a Gunner with Lucas Perez helping himself to three goals of his own as Arsenal beat Basel in the Champions League, a win that sealed top spot in their group.
Nine goals were scored in those two matches combined, and what those goals would have done is ease the worries that had crept in following Santi Cazorla's long-term injury. Arsenal seem to struggle to carve open the opponent's defence when Cazorla is not in their midfield, but the last two games will give Arsene Wenger encouragement that this team have enough creativity in them, right through, to be able to cope without the Spaniard.
If Arsenal can keep their goal-scoring form or not will be known in the game against Stoke, who are beset by injuries. That, though, will not stop them from having a go at Arsenal, and if they can stay solid in defence, that apprehension amongst the home fans, something unfortunately prevalent every time the team struggle, will be felt again.
Arsenal need to make sure that doesn't happen, so a fast start should be the plan, with Wenger expecting improvement from his team with every passing game. "We are playing well but we have plenty of room for improvement," Wenger, who could welcome Hector Bellerin back from injury, said. "I think we want to develop as a team and that's what we have done since the start of the season.
"We had a very difficult start and since we have responded very well. I feel the team is on the way upwards but we have as well to show that first of all we can improve, that we have the desire to improve as a team, and as well, that we can repeat the performances week in, week out.
"Stoke is another challenge for us that we can reset, refocus and continue our development and take the points."
Where to Watch Live on TV and online
Arsenal vs Stoke is scheduled for an 8.30pm IST (3pm GMT, 10am ET) start.
India: TV: Star Sports Select HD1. Live Streaming: Hotstar.
UK: TV: No live coverage. Radio: BBC Radio 5 Live Extra.
USA: TV: NBCSN and Telemundo. Live Streaming: NBC Sports Live.
Canada: TV: TSN 4. Live Streaming: TSN TV.
Australia: TV: Optus Sport and SBS One. Live Streaming: Optus Online.
Thailand, Middle East: TV: Bein Sports. Live Streaming: Bein Sports Connect.
Malaysia: TV: Astro SuperSport.
Singapore: TV: Mio Stadium.
Caribbean: TV: Flow Sports.
