Mikel Arteta says he is ready to ‘take the bullets’ as he tries to arrest Arsenal’s slump

Mikel Arteta says he is ready to ‘take the bullets’ as he tries to stop Arsenal‘s plunge towards the Premier League relegation zone.

The Arsenal manager is preparing his team to face in-form Southampton tomorrow after losing four straight home games.

Arteta believes performances have been better than results, particularly in recent home defeats to Burnley and Wolves, but knows the slide cannot go on.

Mikel Arteta’s struggling Arsenal sit 15th in the table after four straight Premier League defeats

Arteta admits some of his squad are unhappy, but says that is ‘normal’ in the circumstances

Speaking at a morning press conference on Tuesday, Arteta said: ‘I feel the pressure all the time. It will always exist.

‘This is our reality and we have to face it. We have to face it being brave, fighting and no-one giving up. It’s not time to hide. It’s time to put your face and your body on the line.

‘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 [say] “hit me” because you have the right.

‘What else can I do? Put my head down and work harder and try to do things better and improve. That’s how we have to approach it in my opinion.

‘This is natural and I accept it. It’s part of the job. When you are not getting results the manager has the maximum responsibility. You can say whatever you want to explain but at the end of the day you have to win football matches.

‘This club is too big to accept this many losses in the last weeks. So my chest is here. Hit me.’

Granit Xhaka cost Arsenal once again on Sunday against Burnley with a moment of madness 

Arteta says there is a way back for Xhaka, who will now be banned for their upcoming games

Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Burnley at the Emirates featured a red card for Granit Xhaka after the Swiss midfielder grabbed opponent Ashley Westwood by the neck.

Xhaka became the sixth player to be sent off during Arteta’s year in charge but the Spaniard said on Tuesday: ‘It has been resolved internally.

‘Players have rocky moments. What I would say about him is that he is professional and his commitment to his club and team-mates is maximum. He knows and we all know that he had a moment where he lost it. I know the reason why but I can’t throw everything he has done away because he made a mistake. We all make them.

‘I am here to protect the players when I see that they deserve it. For sure, Granit is one of them for the way he approaches every training session, the way he wants to do things the right way all the time and because of the professional he is.’ 

Arteta says he is ready to ‘take the bullets’ for his side as they look to arrest their current slump