Aaron Ramsey believes the ‘weird’ end to the transfer window affected their performance against Liverpool.

Days before the end of the transfer window, Arsenal travelled to Anfield and lost 4-0.

The game was a total disaster, as several players appeared to have their minds elsewhere.

Aaron Ramsey, who was removed at half-time in that game, has cited the ‘weird’ end of the transfer window as the reason for the performance, and feels Arsenal have since learned their lessons.

“The Liverpool game was a difficult one for us,” Ramsey told Sky Sports.

“We had players who then moved to Liverpool in the next game, and players who were still unsure what was going on.

“It was a weird time for us. As a team, we were not quite at it 100 per cent. I don’t know if those things affected it, but they couldn’t have helped.

“We have learned from that. We went to Chelsea and put in a great performance, and we were perhaps unlucky not to nick the game.

“We have done really well recently and are full of confidence, creating many opportunities. We are delighted with the way we have been playing of late.”

‘Weird’ is putting it mildly.

Arsenal started Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at right wing-back despite him telling the club he wanted to leave. He was soon sold to Liverpool.

Alexis Sanchez also started the game before the club tried to sell him days later.

We’ve also heard about players learning their lessons from defeats many times in the past.

Unfortunately, the evidence suggests that the lessons never stick.

There were, at least, signs of improvement against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. A solid defensive play earned Arsenal a point.

Manchester City will prove to be a much tougher test on Sunday.

Arsenal go into the game in good form, having only lost once in all competitions since that Liverpool defeat.

In the Premier League, Arsenal have won five or their last seven games.