It may seem early in the season for talk of defining periods but the standards set by Manchester City are so punishingly high that Arsenal's upcoming fixtures have that look.

Lose their impending trips to Tottenham and City, and, having already been held to a draw by Brighton, Arsenal could find themselves eight points off the pace of the champions.

It is a worst-case scenario which hardly bears thinking about for the club's fans. But there is also the small matter of a Champions League opener away to Atalanta on Thursday which leaves a turnaround of under 72 hours to the clash at the Etihad Stadium.

It is far from ideal, especially given City open their Champions League campaign a day earlier, at home to Inter Milan, following a Premier League home game against Brentford, eliminating the need for travel and giving them an extra day to prepare.

As if the run of three huge away games in seven days was not already difficult enough for Arsenal, they are now contending with a crisis of personnel in midfield too.

Mikel Arteta, already without Mikel Merino, who fractured his shoulder in training immediately after his arrival from Real Sociedad, will also be unable to call on the suspended Declan Rice against Spurs following his contentious red card against Brighton.

The international break has added to his woes. A distraught Martin Odegaard had to be helped off the pitch on Monday after turning his ankle in action for Norway. He will be assessed by Arsenal but has been pictured using crutches, hinting at a lengthy lay-off.

Riccardo Calafiori also hurt his ankle during the break, in Italy's Nations League win over France on Friday, but is already back in London and working to be ready for Sunday's game.

Arsenal travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium having been victorious in their last two visits, ending an eight-game winless run at Spurs. But if Odegaard is added to the absentee list, they will do so without what might be considered their entire first-choice midfield.