As we entered 2016, Arsenal were firmly in the mix for the clubs first Premier League title in 12 years.

Fast forward 11 months and Arsenal fans’ hopes of Premier League success have been crushed even before the turn of the year.

The festive period has severely damaged the Gunners’ title chances. Consecutive 2-1 away defeats to Everton and Manchester City have allowed Chelsea to extend their gap over Arsene Wenger’s side to nine points.

Not only is there an extensive gap, but The Blues are in sublime form. Antonio Conte’s side made it 12 league wins in a row against Bournemouth on Boxing Day as they continue to deflate their nearest rivals.

This year taught Gooners a number of new things about their club, but also reinforced others they already knew to be true.

With that being said, check out the FIVE things we learned from Arsenal in 2016…

Alexis Sanchez is indispensable

Especially this half of the year, the Chilean has been majestic for Arsenal. Sanchez has been instrumental in much of Arsenal’s success both with and without the ball.

We knew the 28 year-old was extremely talented when he made his £35million switch from Barcelona in 2014. However, the forward has flourished at Arsenal and stepped up his performances this campaign cemented himself as amongst the world’s best.

His contract situation is forever highly documented – which leads us onto our next point.

Arsenal do not handle contracts well

It’s been well documented that both Sanchez and Mesut Ozil’s contracts will expire in 18 months. Arsenal seem to have no urgency to tie down their stars early and avert speculation.

The poor management of contracts doesn’t just lie with their two best players. To further add to the club’s concerns, Santi Cazorla is out of contract at the end of the season while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey, Olivier Giroud, Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere all see their deals expire in 2018.

Mustafi and Koscielny partnership is the real deal

Prior to Shkodran Mustafi’s hamstring problem picked up against Bournemouth. Arsenal’s centre-back problem finally seemed to solved. Mustafi’s big summer arrival from Valencia is turning out to be the deal of the window for Arsenal.

His partnership with Laurent Koscielny could be the base Arsenal build on for the next three to five years.

Same old soft belly weakness

We were all sucked in thinking Arsenal had finally turned a corner. However with the consecutive losses to Everton and Manchester City, Arsenal’s feint hopes of achieving Premier League glory have diminished.

It’s just 7 points taken from a possible 63 away to the current top six. That soft belly is still a prominent feature of the Arsenal anatomy.

Still long way off Premier League title

The lack of leadership means Arsenal are still seemingly a long way off winning the title.

Perhaps it’s the loss to Mustafi that has dented Arsenal’s chances. Few would disagree. However, it’s the lack of players willing to step up and be counted that continues to disarm this Arsenal side year after year.

After missing the chance to see off Leicester last year, the league giants are back and the Gunners are just short once again.