‘We are positive, of course’: Granit Xhaka insists Arsenal can still make top four but demands improvement as their dreadful away form continues
- Arsenal are in real danger of missing out on top four after losing 3-0 at Leicester
- The Gunners sit two points off Chelsea in fourth with just two matches left
- Xhaka insists Arsenal’s performances must improve in the last few games
- Arsenal face Valencia at home in Europa League semi-final first-leg on Thursday
Granit Xhaka insists Arsenal are still fighting for fourth but accepts the result at Leicester was due to players losing too many one-on-one battles.
The Arsenal midfielder conceded a big chance to make a move on Chelsea and Manchester United in pursuit of Champions League qualification had been missed with the 3-0 defeat at the King Power Stadium.
Xhaka said the club will think positively with the Europa League tie against Valencia up next on Thursday, yet made clear performances must improve.
Granit Xhaka and his Arsenal team-mates were defeated 3-0 away at Leicester on Sunday
Arsenal conceded three goals in three successive top-flight games for the first time since 1966 and have lost four of five Premier League matches.
‘It is difficult to explain why we don’t play like we do at home and don’t take the points,’ said Xhaka. ‘It is a different game away and at home. We have to play not like at home.
‘You have to win the duels, you have to run more than the opposition because the fans are behind them, all the teams in the Premier League can play football and fight and if you don’t take the fight to them, it looks like at Leicester.
‘We fight. It is not that we don’t fight because if we don’t fight, we don’t go to play. But it is difficult to explain. After this game or whenever you lose, it is always difficult to find the right words.
The Swiss midfielder insists Arsenal must improve their performances in their last few matches
‘We lost our game and lost our big chance to come back to the Champions League [places]. We have a gameplan to play like we want but it was difficult.’
Xhaka added: ‘We are positive, of course. We have the Europa League as well – Thursday against Valencia – so it is not the best moment to speak about the top four of the Premier League.
‘If you are in the semi-final, you are two games from the final. I know anything can happen but if you are three games from the title, you have to think positive.
‘The confidence, you take only if you win, if you fight, if you have a good result. We are all disappointed in the dressing room and not happy, of course not, but we have to look forward and the next game is Thursday.’
Unai Emery’s side face Valencia at home in the Europa League semi-final first-leg on Thursday
