It is one thing losing away to a team like Everton but it is a whole different ball game when we lose in the manner that we did, and yesterday highlighted a load of issues that we have to confront.
Below I have listed five concerns from the defeat yesterday but the truth is, I could have come up with a load more – and that in itself is a huge worry.
Quality of opponent
They were not actually that good, we made them look good, they are not clinical in front of the goal at all. If they play like that against Man Utd and Tottenham then they will lose. That is one of the biggest disappointments from this game, we lost to a team that two of our opponents have yet to play and the Toffees are well beatable.
Top four route is via away games
We are basically out of time to find a solution to conceding goals on the road and not just that, winning away from home and with four of our six games away from the Emirates then the reality is that if we are to finish top four we have to do it on the road and the signs are we will not be able to.
Unai Emery found wanting
I understand we have injuries and so on, but look at who was on the bench, look at the team he picked, look at the formation, and where the hell was a plan B and all that comes down to Emery, the buck stops with him.
Mesut Ozil
He was our captain, he must stand up and be counted but instead he went missing. Compare his performance as captain to that of Troy Deeney for Watford against Wolves and you will see a clear difference. Ozil does not have that drive, he does not inspire, he lacks passion, he lacks urgency, and far too often he goes missing at crucial times.
Lack of depth
We simply have no real quality in depth. We do have injuries and suspensions, yesterday we had no Xhaka, no Torriera and Ramsey does not look 100% fit, and the replacements in the middle of the park are just not up to it. Elneny is not up to standard, neither is Guendouzi, though time is on his side, and too many other players are just not cutting it on a consistent basis; Iwobi, Mkhitaryan etc.
The bottom line is we lack quality in depth and it will take more than one transfer window to put it right.