Times have changed quite a bit for Arsenal over the last few months. The Gunners were previously firing on all cylinders, recording a streak of 22 games unbeaten. However, since mid-December, Arsenal have managed to win just six of their last 14 total matches. Oddly enough, the Gunners went through a similar spell around the same time last season, losing eight of 13 total matches from January 7 to March 4.

Nevertheless, Arsenal fans have taken to Twitter to find out why the north London club has taken a step back in recent weeks. While there can be a multitude of reasons, there appear to be three main causes for this dip in form.

1. Injuries

The Gunners have endured some seriously bad luck when it comes to injuries this season, especially in defense. Of the team’s 10 senior defenders, nine have missed matches due to injuries. Only veteran right back Stephan Lichtsteiner has managed to remain fit and healthy throughout the current campaign. Significant injuries to defensive duo Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding have undoubtedly coincided with Arsenal’s dip in form.

Since Holding ruptured his ACL against Manchester United in December, the Gunners have lost seven of 16 total matches. Compare this to the team being unbeaten with the 23-year-old center back in the lineup prior to the serious injury (11 wins and 5 draws in 16 total matches). Arsenal are equally as disappointing without Bellerin in his normal right back role. The Gunners have managed just five victories in 11 matches with the Spaniard on the mend this season.

2. Defensive Frailties

Arsenal’s defensive record this season has been subject to plenty of scrutiny. In fact, they have recorded just four clean sheets during Premier League play so far this season (only Fulham has fewer). Since the club’s downward trend began, the Gunners have managed just two clean sheets in 14 total matches, with only one coming in Premier League play. In fact, opponents have racked up a total of 23 goals in these 14 games.

The aforementioned injuries in defense have certainly played a major part of these issues with the back line. Holding, Bellerin, and Sokratis have only started three Premier League matches together during the current campaign, with the club being unbeaten in these games (against Bournemouth, Spurs, and Manchester United).

Nevertheless, Emery has tried to find the right formula to help the defensive woes. The Spanish head coach has opted to deploy a back three at times to give his team an extra center back, although he went with a traditional back four during both clean sheets as of late. Perhaps Emery should stick with a back four, as he chose this defensive lineup for six of the eight Premier League matches that Arsenal have won by at least two goals this season.

3. Mesut Özil Standoff

The German World Cup winner is undeniably one of the Arsenal’s most talented players. So why isn’t he playing? A combination of minor injuries and a seemingly lack of trust with Emery has kept Özil off of the pitch in 10 of the last 14 Premier League fixtures. Despite this lack of playing time, the 30-year-old playmaker still somehow ranks second amongst his teammates in key passes during Premier League play (25).

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Apparently, one of Emery’s biggest issues with Özil is the player’s perceived lack of intensity. Fully aware of this, the German attempted four tackles in his last match against Cardiff, while also providing two key passes as well. The four tackle attempts were the most Özil has compiled in a Premier League match in over four months. Despite this, Emery has not selected his main playmaker once since.

A strong argument can be made that a creative connoisseur like Özil is not necessarily on the pitch to compile tackles. He is there to provide passes and help the dynamic duo of Alex Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang score goals. It will be interesting to see how the Emery-Özil standoff plays out for the remainder of the season. Nevertheless, Arsenal have not lost a match that Özil has started in six months (12 total matches).