5. The 8-2 Defeat To Manchester United
Martin Rickett/PA Archive/Press Association ImagesHas there been a more harrowing defeat in Arsenal's recent history? The above scoreboard will bring back many a bad memory for Arsenal fans, and is one they, and Arsene Wenger, are likely to have attempted to repress. It was August 2011 and Wenger had been forced into ending out a patched-up side against the Red Devils due to injury.Still, even that could not excuse the mauling that followed. Danny Welbeck, Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney had put United into a commanding 3-0 lead after just 40 minutes before Theo Walcott pulled one back to give the half-time score a slightly more respectable look. However, 20 minutes after the restart, Rooney struck again, Luis Nani added another, Ji Sung-Park made it a white-wash, Rooney completed his hat-trick for seven and Young made it eight. Even Robin van Persie's goal for the Gunners wasn't considered consolatory. It was Arsenal's worst defeat since 1896, and the lowest point of Arsene Wenger's career to date. The result brutally underlined the sheer gulf if class between the two sides at the time, and highlighted Arsenal's weaknesses for all to see. Wenger had failed to replace Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri prior to this thrashing, and had he not allowed his side to become so weak in the summer prior, this hiding may well have been avoided.