Arsenal will be delighted to see the back of January, with the Gunners failing to win all of their matches since the turn of the year, bowing out of two tournaments in the process.
Liverpool and Nottingham Forest dumped the Gunners out of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, respectively, in the past month, while a defeat to Manchester City kicked off 2022.
Sunday saw another disappointing display as Mikel Arteta's men were held to a 0-0 draw by bottom club Burnley as they looked to climb back into the top four.
But it was an underwhelming performance and the national media response to the stalemate reflected that.
Daily Mail
"A mid-season getaway seems like exactly what they need right now, especially if it does the trick and they return revitalised and perhaps to also be greeted by some new faces to inject some freshness into Arteta’s squad, with the transfer window closing in a week. They looked anything but fresh against Burnley.
"Instead, they were knackered and crestfallen as they slumped to the turf when referee David Coote’s final whistle confirmed the continuation of their start to 2022 that has brought a shuddering halt to their momentum, particularly in the pursuit of the top four, that was building before the turn of the year.
"Burnley had a couple of nearly moments early on but spent much of the rest of the half watching Arsenal hog the ball. Much of their play, though, was simply too slow, sideways or backwards."
BBC Sport
"Arsenal will be pleased to see the back of January. So far in 2022, the Gunners have been dumped out of the EFL and FA Cups and have lost three of their past four matches.
"Arsenal dominated possession but were frequently frustrated in the first half by their opponent's low-block.
"After the break, the hosts upped the tempo, but Bukayo Saka, Smith Rowe, Odegaard and Lacazette all failed to hit the net, despite finding themselves in promising positions.
"A small section of home fans booed their team off at full-time, the five-game winning streak at the end of 2021 an increasingly distant memory."
The Guardian
"Age cancels out beauty. No goals, and an opportunity missed for Arsenal. No goals, and a precious away point for Burnley. The top flight’s oldest and youngest squads by average age cancelling each other out.
"While Burnley were after anything they could get, Arsenal sought the type of routine home victory that this youthful iteration wants to be known for. What they lacked to start with, though, was urgency.
"Whereas the Emirates of old might have grown frustrated, though, there is a newfound buzz in the stands, an energy and togetherness absent in seasons past."
Sky Sports
"The Gunners dominated the game, attempting 20 shots and having 76 per cent of the possession, but bottom side Burnley, who had not played a Premier League fixture in three weeks due to Covid postponements, defended resolutely to claim a valuable point.
"Arsenal struggled to convert their dominance into clear chances and on the rare occasions they did prise the visitors open, their finishing was poor, with Alexandre Lacazette spurning their best chance when he sent an Emile Smith Rowe cut-back wide with the goal gaping.
"Arsenal, who exited the Carabao Cup against Liverpool on Thursday and also crashed out of the FA Cup earlier this month, only had themselves to blame for failing to break their obstinate opponents down."
