3 straight losses, an elimination from the FA Cup and the ominous sight of Manchester City back in form and boosted by the return of Kevin De Bruyne.
These are worrying times for Arsenal.
In a heavyweight third-round matchup in the FA Cup, Arsenal's increasingly alarming problems in front of goal were further exposed in a 2-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday.
An end-to-end contest was settled by two late goals — an own-goal by Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior in the 80th minute and a fierce strike by Luis Diaz in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Arsenal has now lost four of its last seven matches in all competitions, including its last three in a row.
“We need to reset,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. “This (upcoming winter) break is good. It has come at a good time.” Arsenal has had 48 shots in its last two home games — taking in the 2-0 loss to West Ham in the Premier League on Dec. 28 — and not scored a goal. That statistic, plus a knee injury to first-choice striker Gabriel Jesus that made him miss the game, could yet tempt manager Mikel Arteta to go into the transfer market this month.
Otherwise, Arsenal risks falling short again this season, just like in the last campaign when the team faded late on and was beaten to the Premier League title by fast-finishing Manchester City.
“If the team is getting hammered, not playing well and not deserving to win football matches, I would be much more worried,” said Arteta, attempting to stay positive. "I love winning and we have to win many more games.
“But at the moment, the thing we have to change, what we have to reset, is up here,” he added, pointing to his head.