Arsenal legend Paul Merson said Mikel Arteta's side looked 'out of their depth' against Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday.
The Gunners fell behind after less than two minutes at the Emirates Stadium following a header from Raheem Sterling and never managed to make their mark as they suffered their eleventh defeat of the season.
The North London side are now 10th in the table, eleven points behind the top four as they look destined for mid-table mediocrity this campaign.
Arteta is only in his first full season at the Emirates and is undergoing a transitional period, with a huge clear-out during the January transfer window freeing up the wage bill and indicating future spending in the summer.