Why Arsene Wenger's Arsenal are so vulnerable against likes of Chelsea and Liverpool

Shortly after kick-off it was clear that Steven Naismith was playing through the centre with Romelu Lukaku instructed to shuttle down the right flank and keep tabs on Arsenal’s full-back, in a similar manner to Suárez when Liverpool thumped the Gunners.

For Everton’s second goal, Naismith dispossesses Arteta close to the centre circle, the ball is picked up by Kevin Mirallas, who sprays a pass wide to Lukaku in the far right channel. The 20-year-old runs to the edge of the 18-yard box unchallenged, weaves through Arsenal’s defence and drives a stinging shot past the keeper.

Monreal had taken up a decent position alongside the back three, acknowledging Sagna’s advances, but the former Málaga full-back was far too narrow, leaving acres of space for Everton’s striker to run into unopposed and take his tally for the season to 13.

Regardless of what I, or anyone else thinks, Wenger doesn’t see his team as defensively weak. For years he has overlooked the counterattacking problems, seeing the glaring flaws as a by-product of playing beautiful, expansive and attractive football, even if his own players have voiced their concern on the matter. That’s fine, but if you analyse the losses against the top clubs, the same problems arise.

Make no mistake about it, Arsenal, and Wenger, need to lift the FA Cup trophy in May to keep a whole host of critics off their back, followed by a money-spinning splash in the summer transfer market and only then will the defensive flaws be masked. Maybe.