Arsenal's gutsy 1-1 draw at Liverpool ensured Mikel Arteta’s men were top of the Premier League at Christmas.
Now, less than a month later, they face Crystal Palace on Saturday lunchtime clinging onto a top-four place on goal difference.
Instead of the £100million signing of Declan Rice being the final piece of Arsenal’s title-winning jigsaw, frailties have emerged in other areas which has left the Gunners off the pace following a run of one win in seven across all competitions.
Flying wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have dipped in form at the same time meaning Arsenal are far from the irresistible attacking force of a year ago, particularly with the lack of a goalscoring centre-forward remaining.