Bernd Leno says Arsenal have to “change something in their minds” if they are to rescue themselves from an increasingly embarrassing league campaign.
On another dispiriting afternoon at the Emirates, reigning champions Manchester City brushed aside the Gunners with ease, scoring three times in the first half before taking their foot off the pedal after the break.
While the Gunners are seven points clear of the relegation zone for the time being, consecutive away games at Everton and Bournemouth followed by tricky home clases with Chelsea and Manchester United mean we can’t rest on our laurels; a pitiable state of affairs given our Champions League ambitions.
“After four or five minutes the game was done,” said Leno. “I think in the first half we deserved this result. In the second half we couldn’t touch the ball and also couldn’t create the chances.
“At the moment we have to say there is a gap between these teams. We have the quality but when you see the games we miss intensity, we are not fresh in our minds.
“It is good we have a week to work a little bit and speak about this situation, we have to change something in our minds.”
While the German cut a frustrated figure, he stressed that its the players that must take responsibility for their performance.
“At the moment we have to say there is as gap between these teams,” the keeper told Arsenal.com.
“I think we have the quality but when you see the games, we miss the intensity. We are not fresh in our mind and quality is one thing and I also think mentality is one thing. Working hard is the only way to come out from this.
“It’s good that we have one week to work on it, to speak a little bit about the situation because we have to change something in our minds.”
While we’ve not enjoyed much of a ‘new manager’ results bump, Leno went on to make clear that he and the players are happy with the work of Freddie Ljungberg.
“Everybody can work with him so I think the manager is not the problem,” he said.
“If it’s Freddie or another one, I think everybody has to look at themselves, be honest with themselves. If everybody was giving everything today, I think the mentality is the main thing and we need to change this.”
Leno you’re alright buddy, most of the others need the change in mentality.
Not knocking Leno as he’s been out best player, but how long have we been saying we need a change of mentality??? 4or 5 years maybe??
Leno for Captain
Today we just lost to a far better team.
Hopefully we announce Poch this week, if not? Go for Arteta….
That’s assuming Arteta would want anything to do with us right now after witnessing our tragedy firsthand.
Thanks for your honesty. Lack of intensity really was the difference.in the first half we committed 2 fouls to their 12 and the fouls they were clever break up play or stop an attack rather than petulant kicks. Martinelli was probably our best player but the fact he didn’t spot KdB ghost in from the RB position was due to ball watching and not looking over his shoulder. AMN was too slow to track back for the 2nd if he started his run like he finished he could have covered Chambers letting him to try and make a tackle. That’s… Read more »
There is a blame mentality with the players. It started with Ozil but now Aubameyang, Xhaka, Lacazette all show the signs.
Need all players who don’t give a toss to be sold.
Change of attitude, yes. But gundeouzi and torreria get run through each match. At the moment they just aren’t good enough. They are too soft. To be fair, nobody else on the pitch is very good.
Until we get guile in the middle of the pitch we should play 10 at the back and play on the counter. We’re not good enough to play possession football. We don’t even make triangles on the pitch. I’ve never seen an arsenal team make so many square and backwards passes
But look at Guendouzi’s hair. It’s fabulous. When looking for a midfield general my money’s on the fella with the bounciest hair. Same as in defence, look at the bounce in David Luiz’s barnet. Pure quality. How could men with such beautiful curly heads not be good at football. I think I’m going mad.
Edzo, we’re already playing 8 at the back and 3 forward, not sure 11 behind the ball is going to help. It might, but only if we then get 4 or 5 springing forward the way Citeh, Leicester and others do.
Wow! Those are fascinating words from Leno. I admire his candor.
Weakest bunch of players mentally. Physically weak and unathletic midfield. No consistent workrate from our forwards. Just watch the first goal as fernandinho breezes past 3 of our front 4 with less than a foot dangled out to stop him.
What?! You expect tackling too? We’ve not had that since Invincibles were broken up.
Arsenal players are scared of tackling, they do not want to get hurt. They give the opposition too much room and do not make them work for their goals(how ever good they are), making it too easy for opposition players. // Manager ? I dont care who comes as long as Arsenal decide to back who ever they hire with quality signings and staff, and stop buying other team’s cast off players. Fans should be silent on the manager issue now. We know we need much more than a manager right now. A new Arsenal has been needed for a… Read more »
The problem is mentality. Yes, mentality and professionalism. Look the second goal. KDB and Sterling are two against 5 Arsenal players, and they manage to score a beautiful goal. You can’t play like that if you’re a professional player. What is the real problem at Arsenal? We need to identify it clearly.
Before I say this, I’m not asking a rhetorical question here; I really want to know. Why is it so hard to get our players motivated to work hard? When things aren’t going well, you’d think it would be an easy sell to get players to guts it out. Look at how Everton are working hard for Duncan Ferguson – just the pure basic thing of work-rate. Is it easier with home-grown players? Younger players? Why do our players jog back when the opposition comes at us? You’d think it would be an easy thing to get players to work… Read more »
Change of mentality is what the board needs. Stop doing short cuts. They should have the balls to have got rid of BOTH Sanlehi and Mslintat at once, brought in Campos (from Lille) to work with Emery last January. They should also appoint the right manager instead of panicking and going for cheap solution. Where we need resolute discipline with a manger such as Simeone or Ten Hag, both pliable at the moment, we are likely to go for popular but unproven option instead. Arteta has no history in man management and will likely persist in playing the Pep way… Read more »