‘Bad attitude, lack of discipline – the players are the only ones to blame’: Bernd Leno on Arsenal’s problems

Goalkeeper was quick to defend under-pressure coach Mikel Arteta

(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno has held nothing back in his assessment of where his team’s problems lie following another uninspiring performance as they drew 1-1 with Southampton on Wednesday night.

For the second consecutive game, the Gunners were reduced to 10 men, with Gabriel Magalhaes sent off after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession in the second half.

The red card came shortly after the hosts had equalised through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the Emirates Stadium, with former Gunner Theo Walcott netting against his old club in the first half to put Southampton ahead.

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Arsenal were able to hang on for a draw, the result keeping Mikel Arteta’s side 15th in the Premier League on 14 points as their worst start in 39 years continued.

Leno insisted, however, that his coach is not at fault for the dismal run.

Speaking to Sky Germany, the goalkeeper said: “That [pressure on Arteta] is not an issue at all. The coach is least to blame for the fact that we are in this situation.

“If you look at the way we were running around on the pitch at times, then the players are the only ones to blame. I have to be honest about that.

“We’re getting red cards, making mistakes, standing out of position. These are things that we have clearly addressed a thousand times. In the end, it’s a lack of focus on the part of the players.

“The coach is not an issue in the dressing room, there is no criticism of him. We criticise ourselves and the players know that they are responsible. We actually have quality, but all of a sudden there was this break. But nobody can pin it on just one person.

“The numbers speak for themselves that things haven’t been going well lately. Before that, we often lost deservedly. We did draw 0-0 at Leeds, but that was a lucky point. We deserved to lose against Tottenham, against Wolverhampton as well, against Aston Villa even 3-0. Those [games] were just far too many weak results and disappointing performances.

“The attitude is bad, the discipline is lacking and we have no self-confidence. There are many factors at play here.

“We have addressed this very clearly internally and everyone agrees that we have to change this very quickly.”

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Some Arsenal fans have called on Arteta to reintroduce the out-of-favour Mesut Ozil in order to combat the team’s slump, and Leno weighed in on his compatriot’s situation, saying: “The coach has made this decision. Of course, Mesut has exceptional quality, there’s no question about that.

“But the coach chose 25 other players, and we have to accept that. He’s training normally, he’s behaving professionally, he gets on well with all his team-mates.

“Mesut doesn't bring any negative energy into the group. Everything else is out of his hands and out of mine.”

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