The Gunners have no option but to put on a good show against Aston Villa when the two teams lock horns in the English Premier League Saturday.
Arsenal, coming off the back of a forgettable week, currently lie four points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, and any kind of slipup will seriously damage their chances of securing a Champions League place for next season.
The Gunners, despite their bad recent run, will start the overwhelming favorites against a Villa side that are just one point from the relegation zone.
Arsenal skipper Thomas Vermaelen admitted he was surprised to find Villa struggling for survival under new manager Paul Lambert.
"I'm surprised they have struggled this season," he told the official matchday programme.
"I've watched them several times and have seen them put in some really good performances, scoring some nice goals. Their game at West Brom a few weeks back sticks in the memory, and they were very unlucky to lose 3-2 to Manchester United earlier in the season after going two up.
"They've gone with a young team and I think that's been the difference this year. What pleases me about them is that their manager, Paul Lambert, has been given time.
"He has a fairly inexperienced team and it's refreshing to see that he has been allowed to work with the players, developing them, rather than having to look only at the short term. Other clubs have sacked their managers very quickly and I'm glad Villa have not."
Arsenal will have to do without Bacary Sagna, who has a knee injury that he picked up in the game against Bayern Munich, while Kieran Gibbs is still a few weeks away from a return. New signing Nacho Monreal though is available after being cup-tied for the midweek game.
To listen to Arsenal vs Aston Villa Live, click here.
Expected lineups: Arsenal: Szczesny; Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Monreal; Arteta, Wilshere; Walcott, Cazorla, Podolski; Giroud.
Aston Villa: Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Baker; Weimann, Westwood, Delph, Bowery, N'Zogbia; Benteke.
Prediction: 4-1 to Arsenal
