It was a reaction to the Gunners missing chance after chance as the Achilles heel threatening to undermine so much of the fine work that goes before it was brutally exposed once more.
Arsenal created the opportunities to be out of sight by half-time in the FA Cup third-round tie with Liverpool only to once again demonstrate the lack of end product - the "killer" touch, as Wright calls it - to put the Premier League leaders away.
Such generosity is dangerous against any side but it is fatal against a Liverpool team that always possess an air of menace even when they are being backed into a corner, as they were for much of the first half at the Emirates.
And so it proved as Arsenal's threat subsided, frustration grew inside the stadium, and Liverpool struck late on via Jakub Kiwior's own goal and Luis Diaz's flashing finish high past keeper Aaron Ramsdale in the closing seconds.
There was a sense of inevitability about the manner in which Arsenal lost this game and Liverpool won it, leaving manager Mikel Arteta and Arsenal facing a potentially defining three weeks in the difficult January market.
When Arsenal pulled out of Anfield on 23 December after a creditable 1-1 draw, all seemed right with the world. Their play had been measured, mature and they were on top of the Premier League.
Three defeats have followed against West Ham United, Fulham and now Liverpool, while it has become clear a serious flaw needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
Four losses, two draws and only one win from the past seven games is a worrying statistic for Arsenal.


