Mikel Arteta has made it clear he is willing to take responsibility for Arsenal’s current rut but the Gunners boss remains adamant he is the right man to turn things around. The north London side are currently slumped in 15th place after 12 matches and Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Burnley was their fourth successive home defeat in the Premier League.
The dismal performance has increased the pressure on Arteta, who despite winning the FA Cup last season, is facing the prospect of an early dismissal at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta is facing the brunt of the blame from supporters, who are concerned by the team’s lack of goals in recent months, due to his side’s lack of creativity and cutting edge in the final third.
The Spaniard was left incensed by midfielder Granit Xhaka in the 1-0 defeat to the Clarets after the Swiss international received a straight red card following a VAR review, for grabbing Ashley Westwood round the neck.
Yet even though his senior players are failing to perform, Arteta insists he will not shy away from taking responsibility, as he fights to change the fortunes of the club.
He said this morning, ahead of the visit of Southampton: “I feel the pressure all the time.
“And we have to face it being brave, fighting and no-one giving up or anything because it is no time to hide.
“It’s time to put your face and your body on the line and at the moment, I’m sorry, but we have to take the bullets.
“We are not winning football matches and you have to put your chest there and hit me … you have the right to hit me because I’m not winning, so what else can I do?
“Put my head down, work harder and try to do things better and improve. It’s how we have to approach things, in my opinion. It’s natural, I accept it. It’s part of the job.”
Arsenal have now made their worst start to a league campaign since 1974 but as things stand, Arteta still has the confidence of Gunners chief Edu, who has publicly backed his manager.
“Mikel is doing a great job, he’s doing really well here,” Edu said. “If we’re not talking about patience with Mikel. It would be very unfair to him because what a year we have faced: three months without football matches, a lot of things changing in the club.
“He started, stopped, and when he started to get an understanding of all the squad he stopped again.
“It would be really unfair to Mikel to say something about that because the year was so challenging for everyone, but even more for Mikel, who had just arrived at the club.”
The Brazilian, who was speaking on Monday to reporters, claims he is not solely judging Arteta on a results basis, eluding to the work being carried out behind the scenes at London Colney.
“If we start to see problems internally – if the players don’t believe anymore if the staff isn’t good enough – then I will say ‘Hmm, I’m a bit worried’,” he added.
“But it’s such an unfair situation right now because the way I see things every day, everything’s right. It’s strange to say that because the results are not coming but I see properly the way Mikel is working.
“I want people to understand what we are doing. We are in the process to have a beautiful future.”