Where did it go wrong for Arsenal in January and how to they fix it?

Just a few hours into 2022, it looked like Arsenal's year. When Bukayo Saka put the Gunners 1-0 up against Premier League champions and leaders Manchester City on New Year's Day, there was a real belief that Mikel Arteta's side had finally turned a corner. 

But what has followed since has been nothing short of a disaster. That half-time lead against City was thrown away - as were their chances of winning silverware within the next two weeks.

Dumped out of both cups by Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, a goalless draw to bottom side Burnley on Sunday and with more red cards (three) than goals (one) since the turn of the year, faith in Arteta's regime is starting to dwindle again. 

Beyond the disappointing results lies a disjointed squad that has been through it all - injury, suspension, disciplinary issues and coronavirus diagnoses - over the past three weeks. 

But the good news for Arteta is the quest for fourth, which has been the ultimate goal from the start of the season, is still within their reach. 

So how did Arsenal get into this mess and how do they get out of it? Here, Sportsmail finds out... 

SQUAD MISMANAGEMENT 

One major reason into Arsenal's dismal January form is the mismanagement of their squad by Arteta and the Gunners hierarchy. 

The north Londoners were woefully short in several areas throughout the month, partly due to unfortunate circumstances but mostly from to their own doing. 

Arsenal's lack of midfield options throughout the month was clear to see in both their cup exits to Forest and Liverpool and their draw with Burnley. 

Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny spent a large chunk of the month at the Africa Cup of Nations and with Ainsley Maitland-Niles departing to Roma on loan, it left just Albert