With three games remaining, Arsenal’s Premier League season is in danger of slipping away, with a top-five spot and Champions League qualification through the league now at risk.
A 2-1 home loss against Bournemouth on Saturday, after draws against Everton, Brentford and Crystal Palace in the last five games, sees the Gunners sat just three points ahead of Manchester City in third.
And they are just six points ahead of Nottingham Forrest in sixth, with Liverpool having already secured the title a few weeks ago.
Throughout those games we’ve seen uncharacteristic mistakes from the likes of David Raya and William Saliba, who have typically been so calm at the back.
They have been the types of mistakes from players who look tired, who look like they’ve shifted their attention to European football, who look like they just want the league season to end.
And after this domestic league campaign, who can blame them?
The challenge now for Mikel Arteta is to motivate his side to finish the season strong.
There are still games away against champions Liverpool on Sunday and at home against Newcastle - who knocked Arsenal out of the Carabao Cup semi-final - before a final-day clash trip to relegated Southampton, none of which will be easy.
Regardless of their European campaign, as they look to overturn a one-goal deficit in their semi-final in Paris, Arsenal cannot do themselves a disservice by letting the league season slip away in this fashion.
The past few weeks have seen them also look like a team that needs freshening up in the summer.
Whether it’s the return of key players like Kai Havertz and Gabriel, time off to fully recharge for Martin Odegaard and Ben White who look hampered by their injuries from earlier in the season, or a mix of fresh faces, the side currently looks tired and stale.
We saw three years ago the impact of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to inject excitement into the team, and this summer feels like a great opportunity to do something similar, particularly with what fans all hope will be a few signings in forward areas.
Up next in the league, Arsenal travel to Anfield to take on champions Liverpool on Sunday (4.30pm).
The Reds convincingly got the better of Arsenal in the league this year, but this weekend is a good chance to take back some pride and finish the season strong.
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