Just a few hours into 2022, it looked like Arsenal's year. When Bukayo Saka put the Gunners 1-0 up against Premier League champions and leaders Manchester City on New Year's Day, there was a real belief that Mikel Arteta's side had finally turned a corner.
But what has followed since has been nothing short of a disaster. That half-time lead against City was thrown away - as were their chances of winning silverware within the next two weeks.
Dumped out of both cups by Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, a goalless draw to bottom side Burnley on Sunday and with more red cards (three) than goals (one) since the turn of the year, faith in Arteta's regime is starting to dwindle again.