Arsenal produced a feeble display at Liberty Stadium on Tuesday evening, with Swansea deservedly winning the game 3-1.
New-signing Henrik Mkhitaryan started on the bench against the Swans, and the Armenian would witness yet another appalling away display by the Gunners.
The hosts, looking to win their second top-flight game on the trot, started strongly.
However, it was Arsenal who would open the scoring against the run of play, with Nacho Monreal firing home from an exquisite Mesut Ozil pass.
It would take just over 100 seconds for the hosts to get back on level terms, with Sam Clucas netting after an Alfie Mawson pass all-too-easily split the Gunners’ defence.
On the hour-mark, Arsene Wenger handed Mkhitaryan his Gunners’ debut, with the playmaker replacing Mohamed Elneny.
However, just a minute later, the visitors would find themselves behind again, this time after an absolute howler from Petr Cech.
Petr Cech: Has now committed four errors that have directly led to an opposition goal in the Premier League this season, more than any other player #SWAARS
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) January 30, 2018
Receiving the ball from Shkodran Mustafi, admittedly under some pressure, Cech made a total mess of his clearance, slicing the ball into the path of Jordan Ayew, who made the most of the opportunity and slotted home.
Olivier Giroud would make what could be his last ever appearance for the north Londoners late on, replacing the ineffective Alex Iwobi.
Yet once again, the Swans would take advantage of some weak defending from Arsenal, with Clucas netting his second of the game.
The match would end in a deserved 3-1 victory for Carlos Carvalhal’s side, who move, at least for a day, out of the drop-zone.
As for Arsenal, while the imminent arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may well beef up their attack, their vulnerability in midfield and defence continues to be a huge problem.
Indeed, until Wenger himself leaves, it’s highly doubtful that the north Londoners will ever properly compete with the Premier League big-boys again.