Arsenal's startling bluntness in front of goal proves costly in their recent downfall

Once more, there was a dreadful sense of torment while observing the current Arsenal side. They are a finely crafted ensemble with soaring ambitions, yet they persistently betray the most glaring flaw in the most demoralizing manner. It was exceedingly disheartening to witness the players recurrently lacking the necessary ruthlessness in front of the goal on Sunday night. Even if given another 90 minutes, this once formidable behemoth might still have struggled to find the back of the net.

In stark contrast, Liverpool managed to strike twice in the closing stages of the game and advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup at Arsenal's expense, despite the absence of their captain Virgil van Dijk due to illness and their leading scorer Mohamed Salah competing in the Africa Cup of Nations. Jurgen Klopp's team continues to juggle four different competitions, sitting comfortably at the top of the league and displaying a gritty potency at this crucial midpoint of the season. 

Conversely, Arsenal's fortunes have taken a sharp turn for the worse, with a solitary victory in their previous seven outings across all competitions, and this latest defeat marking their third consecutive loss. One can only describe it as a full-blown crisis.

Arsenal spurned chance after chance to establish a comfortable lead by halftime in this blockbuster tie, and they were comically let down by what appears to be their Achilles heel: the inefficiency and fragile confidence of their attacking prowess. 

From close-range opportunities to shots from distance, from headers to volleys, they were unable to create situations that would cause even a hint of discomfort for the opposing shot-stopper. It was a masterclass in the art of not scoring a goal.

The astonishing lack of assertiveness exhibited by Arsenal towards their opponents is a perilous proposition, especially when facing elite teams, and it becomes fatally detrimental when pitted against the irrepressible Liverpool that consistently deliver when it matters. 

As anticipated, Arsenal's threat gradually waned, leaving the home supporters growing increasingly frustrated. In the dying moments of the match, Liverpool capitalized on this vulnerability, benefiting from Jakub Kiwior's unfortunate own goal and Luis Diaz's clinical finish that eluded goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. 

No matter the circumstances, Arsenal's recent streak of six consecutive wins has been followed by a series of disastrous performances, which indubitably feels like a sting in the tail, at the very least. 

To their credit, there are many constructive aspects to Arsenal's game. Their combinations are incisive and pleasing to the eye, as they demonstrated by unlocking Liverpool's defense on numerous occasions. Regrettably, all of these estimable qualities amount to very little if they cannot convert their opportunities into goals. 

The psychological barrier haunting Arsenal's attack has inflicted a series of devastating defeats against Aston Villa, West Ham, Fulham and Liverpool. Incredibly, they managed to score just once in this agonizing run of fixtures, leading to a precipitous fall from their once lofty perch at the top of the league to a now modest fourth place. 

Unless their resourceful Spanish tactician Mikel Arteta swiftly finds a solution to their offensive impotence, Arsenal can bid farewell to any hopes of lifting a trophy this season, resigning themselves to an inevitable and gloomy downfall.