Goalkeeper Bernd Leno insists Arsenal's players must shoulder the blame for their wretched run of current form, not manager Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners stretched their winless run in the Premier League to six matches on Wednesday evening as they played out a 1-1 draw at home to Southampton.

Despite falling behind to Theo Walcott's early goal, Arsenal battled back after the half time interval to secure a point, courtesy of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's third Premier League goal of the campaign. Despite the Gabon international's strike, the Gunners were forced to work extra hard for the point, with Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes sent-off for a second bookable offence just past the hour mark.

Though the draw has arrested the Gunners' run of four successive Premier League home defeats, Arteta is still growing under enormous pressure to turn his side's fortunes around, with the club having won just one of their last nine league matches.

Although Arteta is the man taking the brunt of the criticism, particularly from the supporters, Leno is keen to relieve the pressure on the Spaniard's shoulders, describing the Arsenal players as "disorganised" and that the "fault" lies with them.

"That's not an issue at all," Leno told Sky Sport Germany ahead of the clash with Southampton. "The coach can do the least thing for us being in this situation.

"If you look at how we sometimes walked around on the pitch, then the only fault lies with the players. I have to say that honestly. We get red cards, make mistakes, are disorganised.

"These are things that we have clearly addressed a thousand times. In the end, that's a lack of focus among the players. The coach is not an issue in the dressing room, and there is no criticism of him.

"We criticise ourselves and the players know that they are responsible. We actually have quality, but suddenly this break came.

"But nobody can attach it to just one person."

As well as having struggled for victories so far this season, goals have also been an issue for the north London outfit. In their opening 13 Premier League matches this season, Arteta's troops have found the back of the net just 11 times.

Leno has admitted that statistic is a concern, but he insists Arsenal's main problem is being "too slow" when in possession and working the opposition.

The goalkeeper added: "Of course, if you look at the statistics, we obviously miss the goals. But the offensive isn't so much the problem.

Tammy's goals good for his confidence?

Good for his confidence, clearly. You have to work for your goals. He put a lot of effort in and I wanted him to be a handful, move and have energy and move their backline. He did that. Oli has been doing it for us in his own way and scoring goals. It was more about the opposition today to play Tammy. I was pleased with how he did. We need that. We've had goals from all over the pitch, that's great, but we need people scoring regularly. Tammy getting two will help him.

Chillwell a doubt for Arsenal?

I expect he'll be doubtful for Arsenal. He turned his ankle and tried to carry on but it was too painful. We'll have a scan tomorrow to try and see how bad the injury is. We'll update after.

How does Chilwell and James being out alter your attacking game plan? And what do Azpi and Emerson bring?

A slight difference in attributes can change things to a degree but I don't expect too much because they are accomplished players. The captain of the club, Azpi, did brilliantly today in all senses of his game, particularly the defensive side which was so important in the way they play. Emer did well as well. When we train we work inclusively as a whole squad and know the movements we want to make. We'll prepare for Arsenal and onwards with our attacking plan.

We want to attack with our full backs. They know that. Reece and Chilly have been doing really well, we hope their injuries are not that bad and will be in and around the games over Christmas. So we'll see. But I was pleased with the two lads today. They were comfortable.

Timo Werner is at least getting chances, not worried because of that?

ADVERTISEMENT

Predict 10 correct scores and WIN £10 MILLION with The Pools!

18+ UK only Full T&Cs apply 

Opt out of Adyoulike ad targeting

Yes, I am not worried on that front. Every striker will want to be scoring goals and that's what they ultimately get judged on. That's why Timo was a great acquisition for us because of the level of goals that he has scored for us over the last few years. So, again, I will say it is a player in a new league who needs time to settle. That's not the whole story with Timo, he is getting into positions regularly, scaring them and giving them a problem. At the moment, it is not quite going for him but that moment will change if he keeps working hard and we will see goals from Timo Werner for sure.

Move to fifth and want to keep progressing?

That depends on us. The league is so tough because we are seeing results every week that might surprise some. It is hard for most teams to sustain the form or results that might be expected in different seasons. There is a culmination of reasons for that. I don't want to jump the gun, the games in front of us are tough. We have Arsenal on Boxing Day and Villa two days later without any turnaround. Then, we have City early in the New Year. That's really tough so the onus is on us rather than to say it too much.

London derbies are unbeaten for you which is positive ahead of Arsenal?

They can be tough games and you saw that tonight with West Ham. There were no fans which changed the element of it slightly but we have been in decent form with that [in derbies] but I don't think it means much. You have to take every game at face value. With Arsenal, I see it as a team with great quality and a class manager who are in a tough moment and that's a really dangerous combination to go against so we have to prepare right.