Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits the timing of the international break isn't ideal.

Wenger will now not see the majority of his squad again until 19 November - just two days before visiting Sunderland - and the 60-year-old admits this month has historically proved a difficult one to negotiate.

"In November, you have decisive games in the Champions League and the players go on international duty and that is the first period where injuries kick in," he said.

"Now we have an international break and they all fly away so lets hope they all fly back in good shape. Traditionally, November has not been a good month for us, but I explain that by the fact we have had more injuries then. It depends on the fixtures too - you can have two or three difficult games in November.

"We go now to Sunderland and that is a difficult place to go. But I feel we have learned a lot because many of the players who played two years ago are in the squad today.

"I believe something that is very important is that we have built the team together for a few years. Players arrived at the age of 16 and so I enjoy it more because you are not allowed to do that any more in the modern game. That's why I am really happy when we play as a real team."