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It is something of an irony that the focus of Arsenal's January transfer pursuits was on buying reinforcements in attack when their Premier League title charge is faltering due to defensive lapses.
Defeats to Manchester United and Chelsea on the back of a goalless draw at Aston Villa have made victory imperative in tonight's clash with Liverpool if the Gunners are to avoid emerging from the toughest quartet of games imaginable with any hopes of a first League success since 2004 intact.
Arsenal have conceded 30 goals this season – 10 more than United or Chelsea – including 14 in 12 games at Emirates Stadium but the excellent centre-back pairing of Thomas Vermaelen and William Gallas do not become bad players overnight.
Whatever the internal enquiries into the team's shortcomings, manager Arsene Wenger remained coy over discussing his side's fallibility.
“I believe that our basic problem was not offensive in the two games we lost just now - it was more defensive,” he said.
“But it is not down to me to come out and say who made a mistake. I believe it is important that I show support to my players and think collectively about how we cannot repeat the mistakes that happened to us in the last two games.
“It looks to me quite easy to solve having looked at the way we have conceded the last two goals and that is it. It is important that we support each other and show solidarity and that people who try to destroy that are not right.
“It is our job not to let people think the situation is definite and try everything to make sure it is not.
“I can understand people's conclusions but our job is to fight and not to give up. We must fight to win the league – if we don't have that belief it cannot happen.”
Question marks remain over out-of-form duo Gael Clichy and Manuel Almunia – although Wenger believes criticism of his goalkeeper is “not fair” – but the issue appears to one of balance.
Perhaps in over-compensating for the loss of Robin van Persie, Arsenal have committed too many players forward searching for the same fluidity the brilliant Dutchman helped provide prior to his ankle injury.
Arsenal's desire could not be questioned at Stamford Bridge but their naivety left them vulnerable on the break as against United and Liverpool are more than capable of exploiting any such repeat.
“This is a team that really wants to win and you have seen that on Sunday until the last minute of the game,” said Wenger.
“Of course when you find yourself running after the score and you are playing against big teams, you threaten to be caught on the counter attack and that's what the second goal on Sunday.
“When it is 0-0, I don't think we over commit but we have found ourselves in the position in the last two games where we have to take massive gambles. That puts you in a difficult situation.”
Arsenal will be without Eduardo, who is still sidelined with a hamstring problem and Wenger must decide whether to start Nicklas Bendtner after three substitute appearances following a three month absence with an ankle injury.
The Danish striker provided a physical threat up front unlike anything his more skilful team-mates can provide but Wenger has so far favoured Andrey Arshavin in the central attacking role.
Liverpool continue to rue the absence of their own talisman, Fernando Torres, but a recent run of three victories from four games will give Rafa Benitez's side belief tonight. That and Arsenal's recent defending.
