The damning numbers that prove Arsenal's decline under Arsene Wenger over the last 10 years

Arsenal suffered their seventh defeat in 2018 on Thursday night, breaking their previous worse record by more than a month

Arsenal have made their worst start to a calendar year under Arsene Wenger (Getty)

Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat by Manchester City was not only their second loss to the same opponent in the space of four days but their seventh defeat in 2018 – the most of any side in the Premier League.

Having claimed just seven points from as many matches since the turn of the year, Arsenal have dropped 10 points off the top four and find themselves facing a win-or-bust campaign in the Europa League in order to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

With Arsenal’s form completely deserting them in 2018, manager Arsene Wenger has spoken at length about rebuilding the confidence among the squad, but critics have used the string of losses as ammo to call for the Frenchman to leave the club – with many expecting a change to now come at the end of the season.

Looking at Arsenal’s record under Wenger, and in particular the length of time it took for the club to chalk up seven losses in a calendar year, the evidence makes glum reading for Wenger’s case to stay on as manager.

During Wenger’s first full decade at the club, Arsenal did not register their seventh loss until November on five occasions, and just once – in 2006 – it arrived before the halfway mark in the year, with the side even posting just six losses in the entirety of 2003 that remains their best run avoiding defeats during Wenger’s 22-year reign.

But in the most recent decade, Arsenal’s record has got progressively worse. On three occasions, the seventh defeat has been suffered in April, with last year’s date of 10 April just one day longer than their worst record from 2006.

That was until Thursday.

Wenger's side suffered their seventh defeat in the calendar year (Getty)

Never before have Arsenal lost seven matches before the end of March, and the fact that they have broken that unwanted record by more than a month is a damning indication of the Arsenal players downing tools for Wenger this season – something that they have been openly accused of in recent weeks.

Mathematically, Arsenal will likely be ruled out of the title battle this weekend unless they beat Brighton and Manchester City lose to Chelsea, with Pep Guardiola’s side 30 points ahead with 30 points left to play for. But the Premier League title has never been further away from Arsenal’s thoughts given that they now look certain to miss out on the top four too for a second consecutive year, and unless Wenger goes in the summer, it probably won’t be the last.

Arsenal's seventh defeat by year

2018 – 1 March

2017 – 10 April

2016 – 14 August

2015 – 19 September

2014 – 23 September

2013 – 22 October

2012 – 16 April

2011 – 22 May

2010 – 18 April

2009 – 12 September

2008 – 27 September

2007 – 27 November

2006 – 9 April

2005 – 10 September

2004 – 28 November

2003 – Lost only six matches

2002 – 6 November

2001 – 19 May

2000 – 1 November

1999 – 7 November

1998 – 21 November

1997 – 16 September