Stephen Kenny defended the Republic of Ireland’s Nations League record as they try to win their first game in the competition at the 11th try.
The Republic are one of five countries – Iceland, Northern Ireland, Andorra and San Marino are the others – still to register a victory in the event after two editions.
In all, the Republic have drawn five and lost five of the 10 Nations League games they have played to date, scoring only two goals in the process.
However, they have made steady progress in the last year or so and head into the Armenia game on the back of an eight-match unbeaten run.
Kenny will have a full squad of players from which to choose in Yerevan, with goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu having shaken off a back injury, and skipper Seamus Coleman is relishing the start of a new campaign fresh from club Everton’s ultimately successful fight for Premier League survival.
Coleman and his team-mates will, however, have to deal with soaring temperatures in Eastern Europe, with forecasts suggesting the mercury could hit 36C during the game.