Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno has accused his teammates of ’a lack of focus’ and insisted they are fully behind manager Mikel Arteta.
Arteta is under increasing pressure at the Emirates, with the Gunners currently enduring their worst start to a league season in 46 years.
They current sit 15th in the table, with just 14 points from their first 13 games and just five points separating them from the relegation zone.
As a result, Arteta finds himself fighting to prove he is the right man for Arsenal moving forwards, with many fans questioning that despite his success last season.
Leno, though, believes his manager should be absolved of any blame, and it is the players who need to be taking responsibility for the current situation.
“That’s (the manager’s job) not an issue at all. The coach can do the least thing for us being in this situation,” he told Sky Sport Germany.
“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 disorganised. 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 criticise 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.”
The biggest problem for Arsenal at the moment is scoring goals, with Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette both out of form.
Many have attributed this to a lack of creativity in the side, with it reported today that Arteta is keen to add a creative midfielder to his squad in January.
That has certainly raised some eyebrows given the club have Mesut Ozil, who is their highest earner, sat on the sidelines after electing to leave him out of both their Premier League and Europa League squads.
That is a decision that is looking worse by the day, but Leno was keen to dodge discussing it.
“That is, of course, a difficult question. He’s not even registered for the first half of the season, so he wouldn’t be an option until January, if at all,” he added.
“The trainer made that decision. Of course, Mesut has exceptional quality; there is no question about that.
“But the coach selected 25 other players; we have to accept that. He trains quite normally, he behaves professionally and gets along well with everyone else.
“Mesut does not bring any negative energy into the group. Everything else is not in his or my hands either.”
