November is a traditionally difficult month for Arsenal and the way they started Tuesday’s Champions League game against Ludogorets suggests it could be another tough few weeks for Arsene Wenger’s men.
The Gunners started the game knowing a win could be enough to see them qualify for the next stage of the competition with two games to spare.
So what do they do? Go 2-0 down after 15 minutes of course.
The first came as a result of a brilliant deep swinging free kick that left David Ospina stranded on his line as Jonathan Cafu poked home from close range.
The Bulgarian side started the night joint-bottom of the group but proved they are no pushovers by punishing Arsenal again just a few minutes later.
Wenger’s first choice left-back Nacho Monreal didn’t travel which meant Kieran Gibbs deputised for the second straight game but his rustiness was exposed.
Cafu was at the heart of it again as he collected the ball on the right and teased Gibbs into making a premature challenge before going round the Englishman and delivering a cross into the six-yard box.
As you can see in the video below, Claudio Keseru had crept in between the two centre-backs – who hardly covered themselves in glory either – to apply the finish.
Here’s how Arsenal fans reacted to Gibbs efforts on Twitter.
Gibbs showing why he doesnt get a sniff in the team when monreal is fit
— Marc Crown (@marccrown10) November 1, 2016
Gibbs looked like a baby taking its first steps #UCL #LUDARS
— Jasmina Jay Kaseba (@JJKaseba) November 1, 2016
Gibbs completely at fault for that goal, shocking defending
— Stuart Adrain (@StuartAdrain) November 1, 2016
Kieran Gibbs. Abject, abject, abject.
— Spencer Garfield (@Simphiwe_NM) November 1, 2016
Gibbs defending there was like watching a centre forward trying to help out in defence ?
— Jon Wall (@Wally_S10) November 1, 2016
Hmm yh, interesting defending Gibbs.
— Shots (@IAmOmar_UK) November 1, 2016
They turned Gibbs like a doorknob
— EDDY (@EdwardCpt) November 1, 2016
Luckily for the Gunners, the goals came so early there was still plenty of time for them to salvage something from the game.
Granit Xhaka did pull one back on the 20-minute mark after meeting Mesut Ozil’s cross.
Olivier Giroud then levelled the scores by marking his first start of the season with a headed finish.
Regardless of the final result, we get the feeling Arsenal fans will still feel more comfortable to see Monreal back at left-back when they take on Tottenham on Sunday.