Arsenal return to Premier League action a week on Saturday as they host Southampton at the Emirates Stadium.
Having not won in the league since before the October international break, pressure is firmly on Unai Emery to get a result against a Saints side which shipped nine goals at home recently.
Furthermore, Ralph Hasenhüttl's side currently sit second from bottom in the table and are on a run of seven games without a win across any competition.
All signs are pointing towards an home win as the Saints haven't tasted victory in this particular fixture since the 80's and will go into the game as underdogs.
Although they have won twice at the Emirates in League Cup games in the past five years.
The good news for the Gunners and Emery ahead of the meeting is that Emile Smith Rowe should be in contention to at least make the matchday squad.
It's been an injury-hit season for the attacking midfielder thus far and he suffered a setback prior to last week's Europa League tie against Vitoria and was left out of the travelling squad.
football.london reported this was simply a precaution due to a tight calf muscle and that the injury is not a serious problem.
Yet the teenager wasn't named in the squad which suffered a 2-0 loss against Leicester City last weekend.
However, Smith Rowe has moved to prove his fitness to Emery ahead of the Saints clash by playing a starring role for the England U20's in their game against Portugal on Thursday afternoon.
As pointed out on Twitter by @youthhawk, the Gunners wonderkid was on the scoresheet in a 4-0 win for Keith Downing's side.
Whether Smith Rowe makes the Arsenal squad on November 23 remains to be seen as he's not been involved in any Premier League game so far this season.
With that said, the Gunners will be in Europa League action against Frankfurt the following Thursday and his availability at least gives Emery a chance to rotate his squad.
