Mikel Arteta is paying a heavy price for Arsenal's failure to sign one or two quality players on loan in the January transfer window.
The north Londoners will almost certainly be denied Premier League glory at the end of the season, having fallen 11 points behind Liverpool in the title race.
Their hopes of turning the tide were dealt a hammer blow on Saturday as West Ham claimed a smash-and-grab victory at the Emirates Stadium against the odds.
It gave Liverpool the opportunity to extend their advantage against Manchester City, with the Reds claiming all three points at the expense of the reigning champions.
Arsenal have not been helped by injuries to key players, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus likely to be sidelined for the rest of the season. It has left them without a recognised striker, given their failure to sign a forward in January.
Several big names were linked with the Gunners, including the likes of PSG duo Randal Kolo Muani and Marco Asensio. The club's hierarchy failed to act, though, and Arteta is now facing the consequences.
Both players ended up securing loan moves elsewhere, with Kolo Muani making the switch to Juventus. He has enjoyed a flying start to life in Italy, bagging five goals in his opening four games.
Asensio, meanwhile, has impressed at Aston Villa following his move to Villa Park on the final day of the January window. On the weekend, he marked his first league start for his new club by scoring both goals in a comeback win over Chelsea
It seems clear that either player would have been an upgrade on Arsenal's current attacking options, with Mikel Merino being forced to deputise as a striker against West Ham