A consistent level of performance has clearly been missing and I've found Arsene Wenger to be much more up front about it in recent post-match interviews than he might have been in the past.
We've won 10 games so far in the league, which is the lowest at this stage of the season since Wenger took over in September 1996. The run of consecutive top-four finishes, currently standing at 15, is under threat.
On the other hand, Liverpool seem to be moving in the right direction and will be delighted with the early impact Daniel Sturridge has made following his move from Chelsea in this transfer window. A goal tonight would see him become the first Liverpool player to score on each of his first three Premier league appearances for the club.
The team have won six of the last nine in the league, but the FA Cup defeat was a nasty jolt at the start of a big week that includes this trip to the Emirates and a visit to champions Manchester City on Sunday. If the margin for error for the rest of the season is small for Arsenal as they chase fourth place, it's even smaller for Liverpool.
Arsenal and England attacker Theo Walcott speaking to Arsenal.com: "It's going to be an intense game. Both teams are fighting for that fourth position and are very close together.
"But I think the way we played at home the other day [against West Ham] shows that we are strong enough to beat them."
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday: "It's a very important game. I wouldn't say it was a must-win game, but it's a game where, if we put yesterday aside, the team that has been playing of late in the league has got big confidence.
"We know it's a tough game for us, but it's a game we're certainly going to look to go and try and win - and a game we're capable of winning.
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