Arsenal's first five fixtures after the international break as Mikel Arteta faces travel issue

After the international break, Arsenal will play nine games in just 28 days, so it's paramount that they hit the ground running.

Mikel Arteta has about two weeks to prepare Arsenal for a relentless set of fixtures. After the international break, the Gunners will play nine games in just 28 days, leaving little to no time for recovery ahead of the festive period.

Although the Arsenal boss has one of the strongest squads in the Premier League at his disposal, giving him the luxury of regularly rotating the starting lineup, he'll need to ensure his players are in the right frame of mind to tackle the flurry of games, especially after losing to Brighton at the weekend.

The Seagulls enjoyed a 3-0 win over Arsenal on Saturday, ending their unbeaten start to the new season. Manchester City capitalised on the chance to punish the Gunners, storming past Sunderland on Sunday to establish a three-point lead at the top of the table.

Fortunately for Arteta, he now has two weeks or so to steady the ship and work closely with a few of his key players at the Sobha Realty Training Centre before leading Arsenal back into battle.

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Leeds United (H) – Premier League – Saturday, October 10

Arteta will be desperate to return to winning ways when Arsenal face Leeds United after the international break. If the Gunners can put the defeat to Brighton behind them and clear the air with a victory, they'll be full of confidence again ahead of some difficult matches.

Fortunately for Arsenal, they'll face Daniel Farke's side at the Emirates Stadium in the lunchtime kick-off slot... and not under the lights at Elland Road on a Friday or Monday evening!

Lille (H) – UEFA Champions League – Tuesday, October 13

Arsenal will have only two days to recharge their batteries before hosting Lille. If the Gunners don't return to winning ways when they face Leeds, Arteta may not make as many changes as he did when his side played Napoli in the opening week of the 'league phase'.

Nottingham Forest (A) – Premier League – Sunday, October 18

At least when Arsenal face Forest, they'll have a few more days to recover and prepare at the Sobha Realty Training Centre. The Gunners were held to a goalless draw at the City Ground back in January 2026 when Sean Dyche was still in charge.

Bayern Munich (A) – UEFA Champions League – Wednesday, October 21

Arsenal enjoyed a 3-1 win over Bayern Munich when they last met in the Champions League, although it was a 'league phase' game at the Emirates Stadium. The German giants never had the chance to get revenge, so Vincent Kompany's side will certainly have the bit between their teeth.

Everton (H) – Premier League – Saturday, October 24

Three days later, Arsenal will host Everton. The flight home from Munich shouldn't be too long, but, again, the Gunners won't have long to recover, let alone prepare, for the game, so Arteta will have to put his strength in depth to good use.