Bernd Leno: Don't Pile The Blame On Arteta

Mikel Arteta (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Arsenal ended three successive defeats in the league with a 1-1 draw at home to Southampton on Thursday. However, Mikel Arteta is still under pressure.

Goalkeeper Bernd Leno insists Mikel Arteta cannot be blamed for the London team's poor position in the Premier League. He said, players must also take responsibility for the team's poor performance.

"The coach is at least to blame for the fact that we are in this situation," Leno told Sky Sports as quoted by Antara. "If you look at the way we run on the pitch then only the players are to blame.

"We got red cards, made mistakes, stood out of position. These are things that we have dealt with clearly a thousand times. In the end, it is the players' lack of focus.

"The coach is not a problem in the dressing room, there is no criticism of him. We criticize ourselves and the players know that they are responsible."

Leno admits that a lack of discipline has also contributed to the problems at Arsenal and the players are determined to fix them.

Arsenal had to miss center-back Gabriel who was sent off for picking up two yellow cards on Wednesday, while Granit Xhaka was red in the team's 1-0 defeat to Burnley on Sunday.

"His attitude is not good, he lacks discipline and we are not confident. There are many factors at play here, ”he added.

"We have discussed this internally clearly and everyone agrees that we have to change it quickly."

Arsenal's next match is against fifth-placed team Everton on Saturday, 19 December.