Wenger: Crunch time for Gunners

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The game at the Riverside is the first of a run of eight matches in the space of some 21 days and, with the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Mathieu Flamini, Alex Hleb and Robin van Persie all on the treatment table, the Arsenal boss is well aware how crucial this next month could prove to be.

"It's a massive challenge and we are still hungry," declared Wenger. "We used to dominate games in the second half, but in the last two games we dropped our pace a little bit. We want to get back to the full 90 minutes because that is needed if you want to be consistent."

Wenger may have something of a selection poser as he takes his depleted squad back to the north-east following their midweek draw at Newcastle, but the Frenchman is confident there is enough depth within the ranks to get another positive result and extend the club's unbeaten league start to 16 games.

Wenger maintained: "We are confident. Players like Gilberto have a good opportunity to show he still has an important part in the squad.

"We still have Denilson, who did not play at Newcastle on Wednesday night. Then there are players like Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott, who have come on and are knocking at the door."