Arsenal squandered chance after chance once again as they crashed out of the FA Cup third round at home to Liverpool on Sunday evening.

Missed chances have become a theme of the past few weeks for Arsenal, dropping a significant number of points in games where they failed to convert their chances despite creating more than the opposition. 

Against Liverpool, we saw the same again.

Gabriel Jesus’ knee injury meant that Kai Havertz led the line on the night and the German was lively throughout, getting shots off, creating chances and offering a solid focal point for the Gunners.

The only thing he didn’t do was put the ball in the back of the net – something Jesus has often been criticised for. 

But ultimately, the chances aren’t just landing with the striker, it’s the entire team that has been struggling to find the back of the net.

The only promising aspect is that is, in most of Arsenal’s recent games, the chances have been coming, more so than in the early stages of the season.

The reality is Arsenal’s performances haven’t been as bad as their recent results suggest and, while the forwards don’t have the best track record when it comes to finishing, once the team gets out of this slump the results will follow suit.

Jesus’ injury does force Mikel Arteta’s hand somewhat into trying new combinations as he searches for a solution to Arsenal’s goalscoring issue. 

Havertz’s best games for Arsenal have tended to come up front so now may be a good time to give him a run of games in that position. 

Likewise, with Oleksandr Zinchenko also struggling through injury, Arteta needs to rely more on Jorginho for ball progression which pushes Declan Rice higher up the pitch to fill in for Havertz.

The enforced switch could end up being a blessing in disguise as Arteta finds new ways for the team to play, especially as one of the main criticisms that can be made against Arsenal is a lack of a plan B.

The Gunners now face a much-needed break before a return to Premier League action at home to Crystal Palace on January 20.