If there was one manager who might have actually welcomed the international break it's Arsene Wenger.
Following back-to-back defeats towards the end of August and a relatively disappointing lack of action on deadline day, the Arsenal boss has found himself under intense pressure - not for the first time.
Just months after he decided to sign a new two-year contract at the club, many supporters already want Wenger to fall on his sword and step aside after three Premier League matches.
It has been the nature of the defeats to Liverpool and Stoke which has hurt the fans so much. Two displays where the players showed an obvious lack of fight, determination and motivation were reminiscent of too many similar performances from the Gunners over the last few years.
But the international fixtures have at least taken some of the heat off Wenger and his underperforming players, for now.
Arsenal face a tough month ahead, with fixtures against Bournemouth, Chelsea and FC Koln just around the corner.
And in a desperate attempt to avoid their season spiralling any further out of control, Wenger is plotting 'showdown' talks with the entire squad once their return from international duty, according to The Sun.
The report claims the Frenchman wants to sit down and clear the air with all of his senior players, including wantaway forward Alexis Sanchez.
Sanchez's preferred switch to Manchester City collapsed last week and it is believed the Chilean is still eager to leave the Emirates in order to play in the Champions League and compete at the highest level.
But getting the 28-year-old back on board isn't the only challenge Wenger faces during these 'talks'.
The Arsenal manager has to improve the morale and team spirit within the squad to have any chance of emerging from their current rut.
Only when the Gunners take on Bournemouth next weekend we will know how effective these showdown talks have been.
Another gutless poor result at home will arguably put Wenger under more pressure than ever before in his 21-year spell in north London.