Under fire Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has said he feels no pressure from within at the club despite this season’s woeful performances so far.
The Gunners face Man City on Tuesday in the quarter final of the Carabao Cup, a match Arsenal are hoping to use as a distraction from the league, “this is what we want to use it for, as well it’s a competition we want to try to win.” Arteta said.
The Gunners boss has received a lot of baptism of fire from the media and fans but has received backing from the Arsenal’s hierarchy with the club’s technical director publicly declaring support for the Spaniard last week.
“No, from within the club everything I am feeling is just support, encouragement, and total confidence that we will get through this together,” he said.
Arsenal are on their worst start to a Premier League season in over four decades having lost eight times in 14 games, scored just 12 times and sit 15th on the log, four points above the relegation zone.
“Externally I never read what is happening, I know more or less what is happening but I never read it: in beautiful moments I don’t read it, in difficult moments I don’t read it, I just try to focus on the job and what I have to do.
“But obviously a club of this stature deserves the best and when it is not happening, everyone is going to question what is happening. I am the most responsible one in terms of results, so I have to accept that.”
The last meeting between Arteta and his former boss Guardiola in a Cup game ended in a 2-0 victory for the Gunners on their way to winning the FA Cup. The last league meeting ended 1-0 in favour of Manchester City.