From dreaming of a 'quadruple', Arsenal now faces the risk of ending up empty-handed.

Just weeks ago, Arsenal was still being mentioned as a contender for a historic quadruple. But the harsh reality of top-level football is pulling them back down to earth.

Following the defeat to Manchester City in the League Cup final and the shock elimination from the FA Cup by Southampton, Mikel Arteta's team now faces the risk of ending the season with nothing, even as the campaign enters its decisive phase.

From being the 'conquerors', Arsenal suddenly finds itself as a team questioned for its resilience. The loss at St Mary's was not just a stumble; it exposed existing problems within the squad. Individual errors are becoming increasingly frequent, especially in the defense, which had previously been a solid foundation for their impressive run.

In the defeat to Southampton, Ben White's mistake allowed Ross Stewart to score the opening goal. Not long before that, at Wembley, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga also made an error directly leading to a goal against Man City. Statistics show Arsenal has conceded 8 goals from errors in their last 23 matches, an alarming figure compared to just 1 goal in the 28 matches prior.

The instability isn't limited to individual errors; it also stems from the system's operation. Arteta admitted his team struggles to handle long-ball situations, which wasn't a weakness before. Disruption in the defense, along with the absence of key players like William Saliba and changes in the goalkeeper position, has left Arsenal's defensive structure less secure.

Additionally, squad issues are significantly affecting the Gunners' form. Key players like Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are absent, while Gabriel Magalhaes continues to face injury problems. The lack of personnel stability prevents Arteta from maintaining his strongest lineup during this crucial phase.

While Arsenal is faltering, Manchester City is accelerating strongly. The emphatic 4-0 victory over Liverpool shows Pep Guardiola's squad maintains the champion's mentality and class. Though trailing Arsenal by 9 points, having one game in hand and the direct clash on April 19 makes the title race unpredictable.

Psychological pressure is also a factor that cannot be ignored. Arsenal has repeatedly faltered in title races against Man City in recent seasons. That memory could certainly affect the players' confidence in the final stretch.

Arsenal's immediate schedule is brutal, with a Champions League quarter-final against Sporting CP, followed by the crucial clash with Man City at the Etihad. Within just two weeks, their season could shift from bright expectations to an empty-handed scenario.

Nevertheless, Arteta strives to maintain a positive spirit. He calls on his players to 'look in the mirror', accept reality, and stand up strong. But that call now needs to be proven by actions on the pitch.

Arsenal still leads the Premier League and has opportunities in the Champions League. However, given the current situation, the biggest question is no longer how many trophies they can win, but whether they can secure any trophy at all. From dreaming of a quadruple to risking ending empty-handed, the line for Arsenal is more fragile than ever.