Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno believes it is the players’ bad attitude and lack of discipline which is causing the Gunners’ downfall.
In an interview with Sky Germany, the German keeper defended under-fire coach Mikel Arteta for their poor start, and laid the blame squarely at the playing staff.
Wednesday’s 1-1 draw by Southampton left Arsenal 15th in the Premier League and closer to the relegation zone than the Europa League qualification places.
Arteta’s side have picked up just two points from their last six league fixtures, and Leno insists the results offer an honest reflection of performance.
“It was definitely not bad luck, because it doesn’t happen with such regularity,” he said.
“The numbers speak for themselves that things haven’t been going well recently. We deservedly lost a lot recently. We played 0-0 in Leeds, but that was a lucky point.
“We deservedly lost against Tottenham, against Wolverhampton as well, against Aston Villa even 3-0.
“There were just too many poor results and disappointing performances. The attitude is bad, there is a lack of discipline, we don’t have confidence in that.”
Leno implies that the squad has held clear-the-air talks in the dressing room to stop their alarming dip in form, taking collective responsibility for their failings.
“Many factors are currently coming together,” he added.
“We have addressed this very clearly internally and everyone agrees that we have to change that very quickly.
“The coach can do the least thing for us being in this situation. If you look at how we sometimes walked around on the pitch, then the only fault lies with the players. I have to say that honestly.
“We get red cards, make mistakes, are disorganized. These are things that we have clearly addressed a thousand times.
“In the end, that’s a lack of focus among the players. The coach is not an issue in the dressing room, and there is no criticism of him.
“We criticize ourselves and the players know that they are responsible.
“We actually have quality, but suddenly this break came. But nobody can attach it to just one person.”