Arsenal are at home to Southampton this afternoon in the hope of getting back to winning ways following back to back defeats on the road against Manchester United and Everton.
The Gunners took leads in both games but struggled to maintain control of proceedings, losing far too many second balls in the middle third as well as players failing to remain secure in possession, thereby allowing the opposition to regain the ball and inevitably sustain attacks.
Manager Mikel Arteta certainly didn't set the world alight with his in-game management on Merseyside, particularly with his decision in allowing Swiss international Granit Xhaka to play the full game, despite the fact that the 29-year-old started to fatigue heavily after the 60th minute.
Decisions like these ones along with others have left Arsenal fans incredibly frustrated, with pressure now mounting on the former Gunners captain.
But despite the north Londoners demonstrating poor form of late, opposing players from other clubs across the division are still fearful of what this Arsenal team are capable of, with Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson adamant that Arteta's men can mount a title challenge.
"When fans look, they talk about a fight between the three, but Arsenal have grown a lot, United will boost morale, so they have to be prepared for anything that may happen," Ederson said to ESPN Brazil
Certainly, high praise from Manchester City's number 31, but without a shadow of a doubt, the objective for Arsenal will be to secure a European place as that's where the current squad's ceiling is at.
Since taking over the reins, Arteta has only managed back to back 8th place finishes, so it's imperative that he is able to secure a top-six spot at the very least.
Arsenal currently sit seventh in the Premier League table, four points off fourth-place West Ham and 12 points off leaders Manchester City.
Arteta's side welcome Southampton to the Emirates Stadium this afternoon, and a win would do the Gunners boss the world of good.
