Arsenal's self-inflicted winter break has come at exactly the right time for Mikel Arteta. Now out of both cups and bruised by the defeat to Newcastle United, a chance to escape the day-to-day attention and cycle of English football is key.

Although Arsenal may have preferred a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup, it has provided a momentary freeze on what is becoming a tension-filled season. Right from the very start the atmosphere has been one of fear.

Born out of Manchester City's relentless pursuit of the Premier League title in the last two years, Arsenal entered this season expecting to be pushed all the way by the high standards of their rivals. The fact that this hasn't been the case only heightens the frustration of the campaign so far.

Arsenal are out of both domestic cups and still sit second behind Liverpool. Without hitting free-wheeling top gear for much of the year, Arsenal have been left to pick up the scraps again.

It is something mentally taxing for supporters and has impacted players in recent times as well. What this week without a game has meant is that Arteta can be once again go back to basics and reset his side.

Much like 12 months ago, when Arsenal took two weeks out to go to Dubai mid-season, a warm-weather training camp has been organised here. When the squad returns ahead of a trip to struggling Leicester City, it will hopefully do so fresh and rejuvenated.

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Unlike Liverpool and City, Arsenal have not had the physical or psychological battle of an FA Cup weekend to deal with. Arteta strives to bring more trophies back to the Emirates Stadium but after leaving themselves in this position, it is only right to take true advantage of it.

That is exactly what Arteta has done. By removing himself and his squad from the glare, he will be planning to come back ready for an extended end-of-season push. With the Champions League returning next month and an outside chance of making a true title race, there is plenty still to play for.

Fortunately for Arteta, despite not making a single January transfer, his playing group is expected to get bigger and better soon enough. Having scratched through with key arms of his team out through injury at various stages this season, the return of those pillars are set to come at the ideal time.

Ben White, who hasn't played since early November, is in contention to make the matchday squad against Leicester, Arteta confirmed before the break. He would offer a big boost at right-back and may well open other doors across the XI as well.

Bukayo Saka, missing since undergoing hamstring surgery in December, is further back in his recovery but is thought to be targeting a comeback overlapping with European football in March. Both players have been involved in training out in the Middle East.

Gabriel Jesus is less fortunate. He will certainly be out for the season and may not be back for some time after that. The latest on Takehiro Tomiyasu is unclear.

He has played less than 10 minutes of league football this season after picking up yet another damaging knee issue upon his own brief return in October. Arteta has been quiet about the Japanese international but will be giving an update on his squad's fitness on Friday ahead of the Leicester Match.

The head coach will face the media at 9:30am on the day of travelling to the Midlands. It will be an important update after more than 10 days away and Arsenal will hope it brings good news with it.

He will also no doubt be quizzed on the readiness of Gabriel Martinelli. The winger had to be taken off against Newcastle and was set for an MRI scan, the last we heard from Arteta. Given Saka's absence, losing another winger would be a serious blow for Arteta, especially with it coming so soon after the international break.