Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has pointed out just how 'scary' the statistic is that Arsenal have now gone more than five-and-a-half years since they last defeated one of the Premier League's top-six sides away from home.
For just a matter of moments, Arsenal fans were handed optimism that Monday night may have been that night when Alexandre Lacazette fired the Gunners into a shock lead against Liverpool at Anfield.
Mikel Arteta's side's advantage lasted less than three minutes, though, as Sadio Mane brought the home side level with a close-range tap-in. Further goals from Andy Robertson and substitute Diogo Jota - making his first Premier League appearance for the Reds following his switch from Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this month - sealed the win for Liverpool, ending Arsenal's winning start to the campaign.
Whilst a defeat at Anfield was hardly unsurprising given the dominance and force Liverpool have generated on their own patch in recent years, it did mean that Arsenal had failed to beat one of their main Premier League rivals away from the Emirates Stadium once again. You have to go back to January 2015 for the last time Arsenal were victorious against one of the Premier League's big six away from home, with the Gunners winning 2-0 against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on that occasion.
Though Arsenal are showing signs of improvement under Arteta's stewardship, it is a record that they need to bring an end to sooner rather than later.
Keane told Sky Sports' Monday Night Football: "That stat there is pretty scary, but it’s been a difficult few years for Arsenal, there’s been a real softness to them, but the signs are better."
Though Arsenal were beaten by Jurgen Klopp's side, Keane remains confident that the Gunners are on an upward trajectory, even though he admits that they need to try and add more players to the squad before the transfer window closes next week.
“Of course [Arsenal are on the right path under Arteta]. There’s no getting away from that, but he will want improvements, as good of a coach as he is, he will want some players in," Keane continued.
"I think the big problem for Arsenal at the moment, from what we hear, finances aren’t great at the club. They still need to get rid of one or two to get some decent players.
"So, his hands are tied, I’d think over the next 12 or 18 months which is a big problem because he does need one or two more players in to help the players they’ve got.
"We saw them again defensively tonight [Monday], I still think [David] Luiz, [Kieran] Tierney, [Rob] Holding - there’s big question marks with them at the back.”
