This was not how Mikel Arteta wanted to sign-off from the Emirates for the next couple of months.
Not for a while has there has been much reason for Arsenal supporters to grow irritable and impatient here - nine straight home victories have been the platform to their brilliant campaign.
This defeat does not undo all that good work. In fact, more fixtures is the last thing they need.
But it didn’t feel that way on Wednesday night as Arsenal, a much-changed Arsenal in fairness, were put away by Brighton who are starting to click into gear under Roberto De Zerbi.