Arsenal and head coach Mikel Arteta will be in desperate need of a victory when they welcome Southampton to the Emirates Stadium this evening, kick-off 6pm.
The Gunners, who discovered on Monday that they will face Benfica in the last-32 of the UEFA Europa League, suffered a third successive Premier League defeat on Sunday evening, going down 1-0 at home to fellow strugglers Burnley.
After midfielder Granit Xhaka saw red for grabbing Clarets ace Ashley Westwood by the throat, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has scored just twice in the Premier League so far this season, headed the ball past Bernd Leno and into his own net, handing Burnley a huge victory in their fight against relegation.
The defeat to the Clarets means that Arsenal, who are now just five points above the relegation places, have lost six of their last eight Premier League outings, a run which has seen them score just two goals.
Ahead of this evening's showdown with Southampton, who will arrive in north London off the back of a comfortable 3-0 win over Sheffield United on Sunday, Arteta, who is growing under increasing pressure from the club's supporters - who will not be allowed to attend tonight's match due to London being placed under Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions - has admitted that he takes full responsibility for the club's current struggles.
Speaking during his pre-match press call on Tuesday, the Spaniard explained: "This is our reality right now and we have to face it by being brave, fighting and no one giving up. It's not time to hide - it's time to put your face and your body on the line.
"At the moment, I'm sorry, but we have to take the bullets. We are not winning football matches and you have to put your chest there. Hit me, because you have the right to hit me because we are not winning.
"What else can I do? Put my head down, work harder, and try to improve.
"It's natural. I accept it and it's part of the job. When you are not getting results, it's the manager who has maximum responsibility. That's why I accept because you can say whatever you want to explain, but at the end, you have to win football matches.
"This club is too big to accept this many losses in the last weeks. My chest is here - hit me, guys."
Tonight, the Gunners will be boosted by the return of Ivory Coast international Nicolas Pepe from suspension.
The former Lille winger, who has scored four goals this season, has missed the Gunners' last three Premier League matches after being sent-off in the goalless draw with Leeds United last month.
As well as Pepe being in line to return to the fold, centre-back David Luiz could also make a return to action. The former Chelsea defender has missed the last four matches after suffering a head injury following his collision with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Raul Jimenez last month.
Arteta has confirmed that the 33-year-old will face a late fitness test before a final decision is made. Reiss Nelson is also poised to face a late fitness test after missing the clashes with both Dundalk and Burnley.
Sead Kolasinac and Gabriel Martinelli, though, are expected to miss out, despite the latter moving closer and closer towards a return. Thomas Partey remains sidelined with a thigh problem.
Elsewhere, Xhaka, who was sent-off against Burnley and now faces a three-match ban, and Hector Bellerin, who collected his fifth yellow card of the season against the Clarets, are suspended.
Full Arsenal squad available to Arteta to face Southampton:
Goalkeepers: Bernd Leno, Runar Alex Runarsson & Matt Macey.
Defenders: Cedric Soares, Gabriel Magalhaes, David Luiz, William Saliba, Rob Holding, Shkodran Mustafi, Calum Chambers, Pablo Mari & Kieran Tierney.
Midfielders: Nicolas Pepe, Willian, Dani Ceballos, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Mohamed Elneny, Joe Willock & Emile Smith Rowe
Forwards: Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Eddie Nketiah & Folarin Balogun.
