Arsenal have not won a game outside of the Europa League since November 1, when they defeated Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League. The FA Cup holders have lost five of their last seven Premier League matches and on Tuesday (December 22) were dumped out of the EFL Cup by Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola’s side winning 4-1 at Emirates Stadium. It was the first time Arsenal have conceded four times at home in the competition since November 1998, when they lost 5-0 to London rivals Chelsea, who were also the last team before City to win four successive away games against the Gunners in all competitions, with the Blues doing so between 1960 and 1965. With Arsenal 15th in the Premier League table – just four points clear of the relegation zone – Arteta now has to gather his players for fixtures against Chelsea, Brighton and Hove Albion and West Brom between Boxing Day and January 2. Gunners manager Arteta conceded the run will likely decide Arsenal’s league campaign, but insisted he has full belief in his players. “It’s a hard one to take considering how the game went. This level of opponent, when you give the goals away it makes the game impossible,” Arteta told Sky Sports.
