In what can only be described as a nightmare period for Arsenal, their once solid defense has completely fallen apart. The team's defensive security has unraveled, resulting in a dismal record of only one clean sheet in seven Premier League games throughout December, conceding a total of 10 goals in the process.

The current defensive struggles have sent Arsenal back to last season's woes, where their vulnerability at the back and individual errors were consistently exploited. This has undoubtedly become a serious headache for manager Mikel Arteta, who had hoped that the team's defensive foundations were stronger, especially after successfully limiting their goals-against tally in previous matches.

The warning signs began to surface when Arsenal conceded three goals against Luton three and a half weeks ago. However, back then, the team could rely on their attacking prowess to bail them out. Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case anymore.

To alleviate the defensive crisis, Arteta has been forced to make tactical changes. In the past two games, he has adopted a back three formation to add an extra center-forward and provide more defensive cover. Yet, despite these adjustments, Arsenal's blunter edge in attack cannot be ignored. Their scoring from open play lags behind the top teams in the league, highlighting a significant lack of incisiveness.

One of the key factors exacerbating Arsenal's defensive predicament is the absence of Jurrien Timber. With each passing game this season, the void left by Timber's absence grows more noticeable. Recent outings have seen Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior struggle to fill the inverted left-back position effectively. Kiwior, although performing reasonably well, was caught out of position during Fulham's equalizer in the most recent fixture.

The ongoing fitness issues of Takehiro Tomiyasu only add to Arsenal's defensive complications. His inadvertent involvement in conceding a second goal at Craven Cottage highlights the need for Timber's presence. Unfortunately, Arsenal will have to wait for Timber to return, as he possesses the ideal attributes to control the problematic left-back area.

Looking ahead, Arsenal's next challenge comes in the form of an FA Cup third-round tie against Liverpool on January 7. This clash between two football giants has been considered a final on three previous occasions in 1950, 1971, and 2001. Their recent Premier League encounter ended in a 1-1 draw, potentially setting the stage for a replay at Anfield. Arsenal's victory against Liverpool in October 2022 at the Emirates Stadium provides a glimmer of hope, but they must be wary of their previous three defeats at home, where they were outscored by an aggregate score of 7-0.

As the pressure mounts on Arteta to address Arsenal's defensive frailties, the FA Cup showdown with Liverpool presents a golden opportunity for redemption. Only time will tell if Arsenal can turn their fortunes around and solidify their defense once again.