“We have to do what we did in the previous 19 games,” he said following their 20th Premier League loss of the season. “With the same players.”

However, once the transfer market opens, Arteta’s pressure to reinforce Arsenal’s flagging Premier League title challenge with new arrivals will increase.

Even more so given such a terrible performance at Fulham and the club’s second loss in four days following Thursday’s 2-0 home defeat by West Ham.

Arsenal, who topped the table on Christmas Day, may be five points behind leaders Liverpool by the evening of January 1 if the Reds beat Newcastle at Anfield.

They hadn’t lost a Premier League game after scoring the first goal since January 1, 2022, a run of 48 games, and Arteta was forced to lament his team’s worst performance of the season.

“Three days ago, we lost a game that we had every intention of winning.” “We had our worst game of the season today,” he said to BBC Sport.

“The pace, the purpose we have in attack, we were second best defensively, we couldn’t dominate and had issues as a result.” We were careless with the ball. It was insufficient. We had no right to win.

“If we play like we did in the other 19 games, we’ll be up there [at the end of the season].” We won’t get anywhere if we keep playing like this. It was a really difficult day to bear.”

Declan Rice, a midfielder, added, “Very difficult to take.” Once again, we fell short. We need to expect more from one another.”

Arsenal loses again, and are Spurs in the title race?
Toney? Osimhen? Solanke?
Despite his statements, Arteta is anticipated to buy a new striker, a proven goalscorer, if he enters the market in January.