Having lost to Manchester City on the opening weekend, the Gunners have now suffered back-to-back defeats after coming unstuck against Chelsea
Unai Emery has overseen Arsenal’s worst start to a Premier League season in 26 years.
The Spaniard was handed the reins at Emirates Stadium over the summer after being chosen as the man to succeed Arsene Wenger.
After 22 years of continuity in north London, it was always going to take time for a new era to take shape.
A testing fixture release did little to aid Emery’s cause in a new post, with Arsenal opening with a visit from reigning Premier League champions Manchester City and a trip to Chelsea.
Pep Guardiola’s side proved too strong on the opening weekend, with questions asked of Arsenal on the back of a 2-0 defeat .
There were signs of encouragement during a London derby date at Stamford Bridge, but once again the Gunners were left empty-handed.
After hitting back from two goals down against Chelsea, Marcos Alonso snatched an 81st-minute winner for the hosts .
Arsenal have now suffered back-to-back defeats in their opening two games for the first time since the inaugural season of Premier League football back in 1992-93.
On that occasion, they also began the campaign on home soil – going down 4-2 to Norwich at Highbury.
They were then edged out 1-0 by Blackburn before seeing off Liverpool 2-0 in their third outing.
George Graham was at the helm back then and could only guide his team to a 10th-place finish.
Arsenal will be expecting much more in 2018-19, with the club determined to force their way back into the top four after two seasons without Champions League competition.
Emery, though, has much work to do if he is to deliver on expectations.
Time remains on his side, but he is the first Arsenal manager to lose his first two competitive games in charge since Steve Burtenshaw – who lost three in a row while in caretaker charge back in March/April 1986.
The Gunners will get the chance to kick-start their campaign with another London derby next weekend when they play host to West Ham.
