Mikel Arteta says he is ready to “take the bullets” as he tries to stop Arsenal’s slump

Mikel Arteta says he is ready to hit the balls as he tries to stop Arsenal’s fall into the Premier League relegation zone.

The Arsenal manager is preparing his side to face Southampton on Wednesday after losing four straight home games.

Arteta believes the performances have outpaced results, particularly in the recent home defeats to Burnley and Wolves, but knows the slide cannot go any further.

Mikel Arteta spoke to the media through a Zoom press conference ahead of the match in Southampton

Arteta admits that some of his cadres are unhappy but says it is “normal” under the circumstances

Arteta’s struggling Arsenal are in 15th place after four consecutive defeats in the Premier League

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 come to terms with being brave, fighting and not giving up on anyone. It is not time to hide. It’s time to get your face and body on the line.

“I’m sorry at the moment, but we have to take the bullets. We don’t win soccer games and you have to put your chest there and down [say] “Hit me” because you have the right.

‘What else can I do? Put my head down and work harder and try to do better and improve things. This is how we should go about it, in my opinion.

‘That is natural and I accept it. It’s part of the job. If you do not get results, the manager has maximum responsibility. You can say what you want to explain, but at the end of the day you have to win soccer games.

‘This club is too big to take so many losses in recent weeks. So my chest is here. Tell me.’

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

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

The 0-1 loss to Burnley in the Emirates on Sunday earned Granit Xhaka a red card after the Swiss midfielder grabbed opponent Ashley Westwood by the neck.

Xhaka became the sixth player to be sent off during Arteta’s responsible year 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 teammates is maximal. He knows, and we all know, that he had a moment when he lost him. I know the reason for this, but I can’t throw away everything he did because he made a mistake. We all do it.

‘I’m here to protect the players when I see they deserve it. Granit is one of them for sure because he approaches every workout, always wants to do things right, and because he is professional. ‘

Arteta says he is ready to take the bullets for his side to stop their current slump

The Spaniard believes all of his Arsenal team are still there to help change the situation

Arteta was also quick to admit that some players on his Arsenal squad are currently unhappy but insisted that they all do their best and he believes they will support him to change things.

“Well, I’ve said it many times when you have the squad we have at the moment. In different circumstances it is impossible to have 31 lucky players in stock,” he added.

‘It’s absolutely impossible. I don’t know any club in the world that has that. But obviously when you lose again, these things will obviously come back out to add more pressure or to be disruptive. I’m not interested.

“My feeling is yes (they support me) but that’s obviously a question for them. When I see the reaction and the way they try, I don’t worry in the least that they are not doing their best, that’s for sure. ‘