This was not how it was supposed to be going for Mikel Arteta, was it?
Not after the FA Cup win gave hope of what Arsenal could achieve. The Community Shield victory against Liverpool that furthered the sense of fresh purpose.
All of a sudden, there was belief. An identity again, the last one long lost to a bygone era. Whispers of outside contenders for the top four.
Yet here we are, Arsenal head to Manchester United today with three defeats in their last four in the Premier League.