Arsenal's troubles grew to even greater heights on Sunday evening as they were beaten 1-0 by Burnley at the Emirates Stadium.
After a goalless opening 45 minutes, which did feature opportunities for both sides, the game sparked into life following the break. The second half was just 11 minutes old when midfielder Granit Xhaka was shown a straight red card for grabbing Clarets midfielder Ashley Westwood by the throat.
The incident did not faze Westwood, though, as he acted as the provider for Burnley's winner. The former Aston Villa man delivered a corner from the left flank and found the head of Gunners skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who, unfortunately for him, headed the ball into his own net.
Despite a late rally from Mikel Arteta's side, it was not enough to stop them from falling to a fourth successive home league defeat for the first time since 1959.
Whilst Arsenal's current woes will be Arteta's biggest concern, with the defeat to Burnley now leaving the club without a Premier League win five games and just five points above the relegation zone, the loss of Xhaka for the next three matches means the Spaniard faces a slight selection dilemma, with Thomas Partey still sidelined through injury.
To make matters even worse, Arteta could not have wished to have lost the Switzerland international at a worse time, with the games starting to come thick and fast as the traditionally hectic festive fixture schedule takes hold.
But what matches will Xhaka miss as a result of being brandished with a straight red card against Sean Dyche's Clarets?
The first game that Xhaka will miss will be Wednesday evening's tussle with Southampton at the Emirates Stadium. The Saints will arrive in north London brimming with confidence after Sunday's 3-0 triumph over Sheffield United lifted them up to fourth in the table.
The central-midfielder will then miss Saturday's trip to Goodison Park to take on Everton.
Xhaka will complete his three-match ban by being forced to sit-out Arsenal's Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, December 22.
He will next be available for the Gunners' Boxing Day clash with Frank Lampard's Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.
The games Xhaka will miss:
Southampton (H) - December 16
Everton (A) - December 19
Manchester City (H) - December 22
