Arsenal will look to find their English Premier League groove, which has been virtually non-existent this season, when they travel to Sunderland on Saturday.
The Gunners have been poor in the Premier League, managing just two wins in their eight games, while drawing five. One of those draws came last weekend, when a last-gasp Danny Welbeck goal rescued a point for the Gunners against Hull City.
Arsene Wenger has admitted his team need to improve if they are to make even a sliver of a title challenge, and the manager will be concerned about Arsenal's penchant for switching off – particularly defensively -- one too many times during the course of the 90 minutes.
"It is frustrating, but we have to play better," said Wenger. "That is how we have to think. We dominate our games. It is just when we have a weaker moment we pay for it. That is why I think we have to produce more effort defensively as a team.
"We could be more efficient offensively and defensively, but that will come. I can understand that better because there are players who are new. I think as well we are never for a long time in positions where we have the lead, we are always chasing back. Of course, that makes it more difficult offensively.
"I think 95 per cent is there. It is normal that after a World Cup, and [when you] have new players. You see the main thing is there: the attitude, the quality. But the water boils at 100 degrees and not at 99, and we have to add that degree."
Sunderland fans were certainly left boiling after their last game, with Gus Poyet's men spectacularly capitulating at Southampton in an 8-0 drubbing. Poyet will expect a reaction from his players, and the manager will hope it comes against Arsenal.
"I want to go back to basics," said Poyet. "I want to see the team performing and defending in a certain way, being on their game, being difficult to beat and taking advantage of the opposition's weaknesses.
"Arsenal still have a certain style and they will move the ball well so you cannot relax, just ask Anderlecht – 88 minutes of nearly perfection, fight and desire but then one or two players go to sleep and two minutes later you have lost the game.
"The idea is to play the game under certain concentration levels and be very good on the ball, making sure we make it very difficult for them and not as easy as last weekend.
"I want 45,000 people behind me and I know that they are going to be there supporting the team if they see what we are all expecting -- a proper reaction.
"It is a great opportunity and it is a good game to play after a heavy defeat."
Where to Watch Live
The game is set for a 7.30 pm IST (10 am ET, 3 pm BST) start with live coverage on Star Sports 1 in India. The match can also be watched via live streaming online in India on StarSports.com.
There will be no TV coverage in the UK, but viewers can listen to the action live on Arsenal Player or Arsenal Player Online. Watch the action in the US on NBC Sports, while the game can also be Live Streamed online NBC Sports Extra.
Australia viewers can Live Stream the action on Fox Sports On Demand, while viewers in Canada can do the same on TSN Live. Viewers in the Middle East and North Africa can watch the match via Live Streaming online courtesy Bein Sports Connect, while South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa viewers can do the same via SuperSport online.
Team news: Sunderland: Billy Jones, Sebastian Coates, Emanuele Giaccherini and Ricky Alvarez remain ruled out for the home team, while Anthony Reveillere could make his debut for the club after signing as a free agent earlier this week.
Arsenal: Wenger still has plenty of injury worries with Mesut Ozil, Olivier Giroud, Laurent Koscielny, Mathieu Debuchy all ruled out, along with Jack Wilshere, who is suspended. Calum Chambers return from a one-match ban, while Wenger said he is unlikely to take a risk with Theo Walcott, who only recently returned to training after nine months out with a knee injury.
Expected lineups: Sunderland: Mannone; Vergini, O'Shea, Brown, Van Aanholt; Johnson, Larsson, Cattermole, Rodwell, Wickham; Fletcher.
Arsenal: Szczesny; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Chambers, Gibbs; Arteta; Sanchez, Cazorla, Ramsey, Podolski; Welbeck.
