This weekend should have been Arsenal's chance to face Liverpool and win the Premier League title from The Kop. Instead, the "Gunners" will stand in two lines and applaud their opponents at Anfield Stadium. This raises the question of how things have gone wrong.
Starting the campaign with the goal of winning the first Premier League title in 20 years, Arsenal are now struggling to find a second place. This will be their third consecutive second place and will raise many questions about the ability of coach Mikel Arteta. Will Arteta's 5-year plan really work?
Speaking to ESPN about the plans for next season, Arteta said: "We are very clear about what needs to be done to improve. First, what we can improve and what we can do with the current squad. Then there are the improvements that the team will need in terms of methodology, in terms of coaching staff, in terms of departments, in terms of players and once again, to become better".
Among the aspects that the "Gunners" need to improve next season, recruiting a new striker will be a top priority.
Although Liverpool's attack personnel are not perfect, they are still much better than Arsenal. Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez will be rated higher than Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling.
There was hope that Ethan Nwaneri would emerge as a top talent but Arsenal could not rely on an 18-year-old player. Instead, they need to find solutions in the transfer market.
The Gunners decided not to sign a central striker last summer when Benjamin Sesko extended his contract with RB Leipzig. The same was true in January this year for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins. Arsenal were short-handed in attack last summer and failed to address that situation mid-season when they had the chance. They can't make the same mistake again.
Several strikers are being considered by Arsenal, including Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting. Alexander Isak may be out of reach, but Arsenal still have to try to chase if they seriously want to move up to the next level.
When asked at the pre-match press conference against Liverpool whether they need someone who scores 25 goals a season, Arteta said: "I want the strongest team, with the best players. If Arsenal have three players scoring over 25 goals a season, I will definitely put them on the pitch and Arsenal will become a much stronger team.
I think the striker is the most difficult position to buy players in football. Because not many players possess impressive parameters. The statistics have spoken it all. Even in the Premier League, there are not many like that."
The Gunners have faced injuries, but the absence of Havertz and Jesus has just exposed a big flaw in the squad. At some points this season, they have pushed midfielder Mikel Merino up to the attack. While the Spaniard has performed well and scored a number of important goals, Arsenal clearly still need a longer-term solution.
"I really appreciate the players I have at my hands and I will find a way to help them improve. After a defeat, it's easy to look outside the team, instead of taking advantage of that moment to evaluate the players in a special way.
I have heard many questions about certain players over the past time. However, when another name, unexpectedly playing better than the player, is discussed, I do not receive any questions" - Arteta added.
