Arsenal's Premier League title hopes were effectively ended by a 3-1 at Stoke City on Sunday that exposed the team's defensive frailties.
The loss left Arsenal six points behind Manchester United who were 2-0 against Chelsea at half time.
First-half goals from Kenwyne Jones and Jermaine Pennant were conceded far too easily and further weaknesses were evident after the break.
Although Robin van Persie pulled one back for Arsenal in the 81st minute, Jon Walters produced an immediate response for Stoke after Johan Djourou's poor clearance.
As the Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger prepares for a sixth successive season ending without a trophy, he will be left contemplating why Arsenal continues to concede soft goals.
The Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny had already flapped at one cross which Pennant hooked wide when he was left totally exposed by his defence in the 28th minute for Stoke's opener.
Andrey Arshavin's needless push on Pennant close to the corner flag allowed the winger to clip over a free kick, and Jones easily evaded Johan Djourou to simply jog in and let the ball hit him on the chest to divert it over the line.
Stoke fans' chant of "1-0 to the rugby team" was aimed at Wenger, who had criticised the hosts for playing too roughly.
Stoke's second goal came in the 40th after Pennant cut in from the left and was allowed to advance unchallenged.
When Djourou belatedly came to meet Pennant, the winger fired in a shot which deflected off the defender and over Szczesny.
Arsenal was spared further embarrassment by the crossbar just before the break after Walters struck from a narrow angle on the left of the penalty area.
Strikers Nicklas Bendtner and Marouane Chamakh replaced Ramsey and Arshavin for the second half but it was the other end of the pitch where the Gunners were lacking as within seconds of the restart Robert Huth headed over Pennant's corner.
Shortly afterward, Huth limped off with a knee problem ahead of the FA Cup final against Manchester City on Saturday.
Arsenal's lifeline came with nine minutes remaining when Asmir Begovic's slip-up allowed van Persie's shot to roll underneath him.
But Arsenal threw away their good work a minute later when Djourou's miserable afternoon was completed by a poor half-clearance that went straight to Walters, who poked the ball past Szczesny.
Wolves breathe easy
Wolverhampton Wanderers climbed out of the relegation zone with a 3-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion.
Steven Fletcher scored either side of a goal from Adlene Guedioura to put Wolves in control before Peter Odemwingie pulled one back for West Brom from the penalty spot in the 55th minute.
Wolves are a place and a point above the drop zone, which is occupied by Blackpool, Wigan and West Ham. There are two matches remaining this season.
West Brom is already assured of a second successive season in the top flight.
