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Arsenal are only to blame for a streak in league form that has left them just five points above the landing zone, says coach Mikel Arteta.
Mikel Arteta he’s prepared to “take the bullets” as he desperately tries to turn around Arsenal’s lousy start to the Premier League season. The Gunners fell to a 1-0 loss to Burnley at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, their fourth consecutive league loss at home, representing their worst streak since 1959. That result left them languishing in 15th place in the table, 10 points behind the top four and just five points. from the relegation zone.
Arsenal’s struggle to find the net
They have scored just 10 goals in 12 games, their lowest at this stage of a season in the top flight in 39 years, while only Newcastle united, Burnley, Sheffield United and West brom have had fewer shots and shots on goal than Arsenal.
Arteta has a chance to get his team back on the winning track on Wednesday when Southampton visit north london. The Saints are in fourth place after seven wins in their first 12 games, but have failed to triumph in any of their 21 away games against Arsenal in the Premier League, the most home games a team has ever seen. played against another in competition without ever losing.
The Spaniard, who was appointed as Arsenal manager almost a year ago, has no problems with the scrutiny he is facing and acknowledges that it is his responsibility to reverse the Gunners’ fortunes. “I feel the pressure all the time. It will always exist,” he told a news conference. “This is our reality and we have to face it. We have to face it by being brave, fighting and without anyone giving up. It is not time to hide. It is time to put your face and body on the line. Right now, I’m sorry, But we have to take the bullets. We are not winning soccer games and you have to put your chest there and [say] ‘hit me’ because you have the right. What else can I do? Lower your head and work harder and try to do better and improve. This is how we have to approach it, in my opinion. This is natural and I accept it. It’s part of the job. When it doesn’t get results, the manager has the ultimate responsibility. You can say whatever you want to explain, but at the end of the day you have to win soccer games. This club is too big to accept so many losses in recent weeks. So my chest is here. Hit me. “
Xhaka expelled
Arsenal’s case against Burnley at the weekend was not helped by the dismissal of the midfielder Granit xhaka. The Swiss international was initially booked for a foul on Dwight McNeil by referee Graham Scott, who was advised by the VAR to review footage of the skirmish that broke out after the challenge. After seeing Ashley Westwood grab Ashley Westwood by the neck, Scott updated the card to red. The dismissal was the sixth in the Premier League for Arsenal as Arteta he was appointed, twice the number of any other senior team in the same period. As for Xhaka, it was his third red card for Arsenal; only four other players have been sent off more times for the north London club during the Premier League era.
Arteta explained that Xhaka’s “mistake” had been solved behind closed doors. “It has been resolved internally,” he said. “The players have difficult moments. What I would say about him is that he is professional and his commitment to his club and his teammates is maximum. He knows and we all know that he had a moment when he lost it. I know the reason. Why but I can’t throw away everything he’s done because he made a mistake. We all make them. I’m here to protect the players when I see that they deserve it. Sure, Granit is one of them because of the way he approaches each training session, the way he wants to do things the right way at all times and for the professional that he is. “
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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