The defeat has sparked fears of a late-season collapse, a frustratingly familiar theme from previous campaigns under Arteta’s stewardship. With only the Premier League and Champions League left to fight for, there is a growing concern that the Gunners risk finishing a sixth consecutive season without a trophy if they cannot stabilise their form quickly.
Walcott shared this prevailing anxiety, urging his former club to move past the Southampton result before it ruins their entire campaign. "They have to not let the season run away from them. Everything they have built this season, don't let it affect them. They have been in this situation before and they don't want to relive that," he concluded.