5 ways Arsenal can get back to their best

«It is what it is,» Mikel Arteta shrugged, sounding like a deflated Love Island contestant.

Rather than finishing bottom of a public poll, Arteta's philosophical reflection came after a third consecutive defeat for his Arsenal side. The Gunners limped into the winter break on the back of one win in seven games across all competitions, tumbling from the top spot they held on Christmas Day to five points adrift of league-leading Liverpool.

With almost half the season still to play and the Champions League knockout stages on the horizon, here is how Arteta can turn things around.

Arsenal's slump has coincided with a spell of misfortune in front of goal. Since Christmas Day, the capital outfit have scored just once from 63 shots. While a new striker is one alternative, the current Gunners squad will likely regain their aim in time.

Football is a painfully random game — an inconvenient truth that is often overlooked in the constant search for explanations. Pep Guardiola captured the infuriating and engaging reality when he opined: «Football is the only sport where you can lose by playing better, that's why it's so attractive to people.»

Against Aston Villa, West Ham United and at home to Liverpool in the FA Cup, Arsenal created more than enough chances to comfortably win. «We haven't capitalised,» Arteta admitted following the third-round exit to Liverpool. «Not just today, but in the last few games as well. That's why we're not winning games. Merit-wise, there is no question that we deserve to win the games but the results are very different.»

Given the financial restrictions that serve as a bolted lock on any transfer war chest fans may be hoping for this January, Arsenal simply can't afford a striker that will shift the needle