Arsenal conceded once and could have dispatched another, but the biggest blow in the opening 25 minutes against Crystal Palace was an injury to Bukayo Saka.
The consistent winger has started 16 of Arsenal's 17 games in charge this season, after just one trip to Bournemouth in October. Gunners lost 2-0 in his absence.
Saka is no stranger to an aggressive approach from opposition defenders, spending large chunks of each contest winning ground. However, the 23-year-old invariably returns to his feet, often leading alone Arsenalhis attacks.
During a chaotic contest that saw Gabriel Jesus twice fire the visitors ahead either side of Ismaila Sarr's equaliser, Saka only had time to attempt three passes. The last of them picked out Martin Odegaard in the Palace box, but it came at the expense of an injury.
After a challenge from left back Tyrick Mitchell as he tried to block the forward's cut, from remained grounded and was seen holding his navel. After a surprisingly brief inspection by Arsenal's medical department, Arteta was forced to send his star man off in the 25th minute.
Leandro Trossard came on as Saka's replacement, but never offers the same assurance of the end product. Before Saturday's game, Saka boasted a team-high five goals and a division-leading ten assists.
Despite the festive flurry of matches, there is little time for Saka to recover. Arsenal are next in action against promoted fighters Ipswich Town at the Emirates Stadium on Friday, December 27. The Gunners then travel to Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium on New Year's Day before a tough trip to Brighton on January 4.