3 upgrades Arsenal needs to mount a real title challenge next season
Those who've watched Arsenal over the past decade know how the story goes from here.
A season that began with disappointment eventually gave way to optimism, as the Gunners once again used a dominant run to dangle the hopes of ending a 13-year title drought in the faces of their supporters.
However, the New Year has traditionally been cruel and humbling - as it was again in 2017 - as Arsenal fans arrive at the realisation that hoisting the Premier League trophy is simply unattainable.
The latest calamity was a fitting way to end a disastrous week, as Chelsea - which beat the Gunners 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday - has displayed form that could see the Blues secure the title as early as March.
Arsenal has just a couple more steps to finish following the script of seasons past: elimination in the Champions League Round of 16, followed by a late-season charge as the club eventually secures a place in the top four.
But, it doesn't have to be this way next season. Here are three changes that could turn Arsenal's fortunes around for 2017-18:
Fresh face between the sticks
It's not necessarily the number of times Petr Cech has been forced to pick the ball out the back of the net that raises concern. It's the manner in which the opposition has beaten the formerly reliable shot-stopper.
His blunder Saturday was dripping with irony when a poor pass against his former club paved the way for former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas to easily score Chelsea's third of the afternoon.
It was a fitting way to sum up the 34-year-old's frustrating season in north London. The netminder has been at the centre of several gaffes that have uncovered his diminished abilities.
Although Cech's contract runs until 2019, perhaps it's time to explore alternative options outside of the team's current crop of 'keepers.
Prepare for the worst
Arsenal and its fans have to accept that the prospect of securing Mesut Ozil and/or Alexis Sanchez to new contracts is fading.
Although it's apparent the pair would love nothing more than to bring the Premier League title back to north London, failure likely won't prevent either star from considering options elsewhere.
Arsenal and manager Arsene Wenger have continued holding out hope that deals for either player remain possible, but it's becoming clear it's time for the club to enter the summer with a proactive attitude and examine comparable replacements - such as Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus and players of his ilk - rather than hedging bets on young stars who often fail to live up to the hype of joining one of England's elite teams.
Wenger out
As much as those associated with Arsenal don't want to admit it, it's time for Wenger to go.
It seems like an unfair assessment following a result that the veteran gaffer was forced to watch from the stands as he serves a four-match ban. Still, one can't help but conclude that a dismal week such as this - in which the team's title challenge went up in smoke - could be the final straw for a man who's failed to win the league since 2004.
With uncertainty surrounding Diego Simeone's future at Atletico Madrid, perhaps it's time Arsenal officials switch gears and institute a manager who offers a different approach on the touchline for the first time in over 20 years.
In the end, the final decision could ultimately come down to Wenger, a man whose trophy-laden career has afforded him the chance to decide his own fate.