A two-week break and some sun in Dubai has helped lift the gloom around Arsenal.

The Gunners return to action against Crystal Palace on Saturday — and manager Mikel Arteta wants his recharged squad to hit the ground running.

Back-to-back Premier League defeats and an FA Cup exit to Liverpool preceded their warm-weather training camp, but Arsenal still believe they can achieve something special this season.

Victory over struggling Palace at the Emirates Stadium would move them to within just two points of Jurgen Klopp’s table-toppers, who travel to Bournemouth on Sunday.

Arsenal also have a winnable Champions League last-16 tie against Porto next month, so are still in a good position, despite their recent drop-off.

After three defeats on the spin, the Gunners looked in desperate need of a break, and the eight-day training camp offered them the chance to reset.

Nowhere was that needed more than in attack, where Arsenal had 61 shots in their last three games but scored just once.

Arteta believes their issues in front of goal have become psychological and that their break in the calendar came at just the right time.

Part of the reason behind going to Dubai was the benefit of training in the heat and the facilities out there, but also the impact a change of scenery could have on the players.

Gabriel Jesus was able to train with the group after missing the Liverpool defeat with a knee issue, and he hopes to play on Saturday.

Jesus has struggled with form and fitness all season, and the same goes for fellow Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli.

At this stage last season, Jesus and Martinelli had scored 12 goals between them. So far this campaign, they have managed just five.

Injuries have not helped, and it was not until the middle of October that the pair started a Premier League game together this season.

The two Brazilians have a good relationship off the pitch and enjoy playing together on it. Jesus likes to drift out left, which allows Martinelli to cut inside, and the pair have developed an excellent understanding of each other’s movement.

Despite both having a run in the team over the festive period, however, Jesus and Martinelli are yet to rediscover their spark from last season.

Opponents have started to double up on Martinelli, restricting his space, while Arsenal’s left side is also going through a period of transition.

Kai Havertz is improving on that side of midfield, but he is not reaching the heights Granit Xhaka did last season. Behind Havertz, left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko has struggled with form and fitness.

He is a doubt for Saturday's match, and Jakub Kiwior may have to fill in again. All that has clearly had a knock-on effect.

There has also been an element of fatigue about Arsenal’s performances in attack, and Martinelli, especially, looked in need of a rest before the break.

As the business end of the season approaches, Arsenal’s attack now needs to click into gear.

Many fans hoped the team would have a new striker leading the line this weekend, some dreaming it would be Ivan Toney, available again after his betting ban. But that proved wishful thinking and, for now, Arteta must work with what he has got.

A home game against Palace, who are struggling and had an FA Cup replay at Everton to contend with on Wednesday, feels like the ideal fixture to kick-start their revival.