Mikel Arteta insists he is strong enough to cope with the pressure of Arsenal's dismal run as the Gunners boss dismissed their recent struggles as merely a "blip".

Arteta has faced calls for his sacking after Sunday's 1-0 home defeat against Burnley condemned Arsenal to their worst start to a season since 1974.

Arsenal have lost their last four home league games -- their worst sequence since 1959 -- and another defeat at the Emirates Stadium against in-form Southampton on Wednesday would pile further pressure on Arteta.

The Spaniard was given a vote of confidence by Arsenal technical director Edu on Monday, but Arteta admitted he had to shoulder the responsiblity for the team's five-match winless run in the league.

Adamant he still retains the backing of his players, Arteta told reporters on Tuesday: "My feeling is yes but this is a question for them obviously.

"When I see the reaction and the way they try, there's not one bit that worries me that they're not trying their best, that's for sure.

"And in terms of Edu and (Manchester City manager) Pep (Guardiola), they obviously showed their appreciation, because in good moments it's very easy.&nbsp;

"In difficult moments when you have people like them giving you support and two people that know very, very well what we've been through here, obviously it's much appreciated."

<h2>- 'Take the bullets' -</h2>

Languishing in 15th place after seven defeats in their first 12 league games, Arsenal are closer to the relegation zone than the top four.

Arteta is not concerned that Arsenal now face an unthinkable relegation battle and is confident that results will turn soon.

"I want to think that we are in a blip, losing football matches makes me believe that but we need to start to win," he said.

"Because just dropping and dropping down the table is not the situation we want to be in.

"But this is our reality right now and we have to face it and we have to face it being brave, fighting and no one giving up or anything.

"It's not time to hide, it's time to put your face and your body on the line and at the moment, I'm sorry, but we have to take the bullets.

Arteta said he accepted that he bore "maximum responsibility" for the bad results.

"At the end of the day you have to win football matches and this club is too big to accept this many losses in the last weeks. So my chest is here and hit me, guys."

Granit Xhaka's needless red card for grabbing Burnley's Ashley Westwood around the neck played a key role in Arsenal's latest flop.

Angry Arsenal fans have called for the volatile Swiss midfielder to be sold, but he retains Arteta's support for now.

Asked if Xhaka had apologised to Arteta and his team-mates, the Arsenal boss said the matter had been resolved "internally".

"He has had tough times here and he's not the only one, there's a lot of players that have had rocky moments.

"But what I can say about Granit is that his professionalism and his commitment with the club and with his team-mates is maximal.

"He knows and we all know that he had a moment where he's lost it and I know the reason why. But what I cannot do is just throw everything that he has done away because he's made a mistake."

Mikel Arteta insists he is strong enough to cope with the pressure of Arsenal's dismal run as the Gunners boss dismissed their recent struggles as merely a "blip".

Mikel Arteta insists he is strong enough to cope with the pressure of Arsenal's dismal run as the Gunners boss dismissed their recent struggles as merely a "blip". Arteta has faced calls for his sacking after Sunday's 1-0 home defeat against Burnley condemned Arsenal to their worst start to a season since 1974. Arsenal have lost their last four home league games -- their worst sequence since 1959 -- and another defeat at the Emirates Stadium against in-form Southampton on Wednesday would pile further pressure on Arteta. The Spaniard was given a vote of confidence by Arsenal technical director Edu on Monday, but Arteta admitted he had to shoulder the responsiblity for the team's five-match winless run in the league. Adamant he still retains the backing of his players, Arteta told reporters on Tuesday: "My feeling is yes but this is a question for them obviously. "When I see the reaction and the way they try, there's not one bit that worries me that they're not trying their best, that's for sure. "And in terms of Edu and (Manchester City manager) Pep (Guardiola), they obviously showed their appreciation, because in good moments it's very easy. "In difficult moments when you have people like them giving you support and two people that know very, very well what we've been through here, obviously it's much appreciated." - 'Take the bullets' - Languishing in 15th place after seven defeats in their first 12 league games, Arsenal are closer to the relegation zone than the top four. Arteta is not concerned that Arsenal now face an unthinkable relegation battle and is confident that results will turn soon. "I want to think that we are in a blip, losing football matches makes me believe that but we need to start to win," he said. "Because just dropping and dropping down the table is not the situation we want to be in. "But this is our reality right now and we have to face it and we have to face it being brave, fighting and no one giving up or anything. "It's not time to hide, it's time to put your face and your body on the line and at the moment, I'm sorry, but we have to take the bullets. Arteta said he accepted that he bore "maximum responsibility" for the bad results. "At the end of the day you have to win football matches and this club is too big to accept this many losses in the last weeks. So my chest is here and hit me, guys." Granit Xhaka's needless red card for grabbing Burnley's Ashley Westwood around the neck played a key role in Arsenal's latest flop. Angry Arsenal fans have called for the volatile Swiss midfielder to be sold, but he retains Arteta's support for now. Asked if Xhaka had apologised to Arteta and his team-mates, the Arsenal boss said the matter had been resolved "internally". "He has had tough times here and he's not the only one, there's a lot of players that have had rocky moments. "But what I can say about Granit is that his professionalism and his commitment with the club and with his team-mates is maximal. "He knows and we all know that he had a moment where he's lost it and I know the reason why. But what I cannot do is just throw everything that he has done away because he's made a mistake."

Under-fire Arteta vows to stop Arsenal 'blip'

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admits players will have to find motivation without the urgency provided by fans when the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/premier-league">Premier League</a> restarts on Wednesday.

Arteta's side will feature in the second game of the Premier League relaunch when they face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, just hours after the opener between Aston Villa and Sheffield United.

The remaining 92 top-flight matches will all be played behind closed doors because of the coronavirus.

Having watched Germany's Bundesliga return without fans on television before experiencing the situation himself last week during friendlies, Arteta is aware of the challenges.

He believes it will be hard for some players to display their usual intensity because they will not have the energy of a full stadium to feed off.

"When I was at the Emirates and there was no crowd, you cannot feel that energy, push or drive," Arteta told reporters in a video press conference on Monday.

"The game is different. The intensity drops a little bit. That urgency from the crowd doesn't exist anymore, how passionate the crowds are in England. We have to adapt.

"We have to experience it. We have to find ways to motivate our players as well in moments."

Like most managers, Arteta has concerns about the fitness of his players after they were forced to work out on their own before the gradual return to organised training.

<h2>- 'Ready to compete' -</h2>

With the rest of this season being crammed into just six weeks, Arteta has told his players to forget the unusual circumstances and embrace their return to action.

"We try to make the best of it. Don't try to make any excuses, go for it and enjoy because I think we are all missing football so much," he said.

"I think we have found the right balance, and the most important thing was to provide the players with a safe environment to work where they could feel there was no risk, or a very limited risk, to develop their profession.

"I think we have managed to do that and from now on, the physical part is really good and the mental side as well has been a challenge over those three months. Now let's see how ready we are to compete."

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder and Aston Villa boss Dean Smith said they were aware the eyes of the world would be on their match at Villa Park.

"First game back is going to be a little bit different, what we understand is the magnitude of the game, the coverage of the game," Wilder said at his pre-match video press conference on Monday.

"From our point of view we want to put on a good show and make sure we play well."

Sheffield United, who have 10 games to play, are seventh in the table, chasing Champions League football.

Villa are in the relegation places, but Smith said it was an honour to be playing the first game in the English top flight since March.

Victory over the Blades, their game in hand over their relegation rivals, would take them out of the drop zone with nine matches remaining.

"The eyes of the world will be on us and we are looking forward to it," Smith said.

"The players have been itching to get back."&nbsp;

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admits players will have to find motivation without the urgency provided by fans when the Premier League restarts on Wednesday. Arteta's side will feature in the second game of the Premier League relaunch when they face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, just hours after the opener between Aston Villa and Sheffield United.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admits players will have to find motivation without the urgency provided by fans when the Premier League restarts on Wednesday. Arteta's side will feature in the second game of the Premier League relaunch when they face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, just hours after the opener between Aston Villa and Sheffield United. The remaining 92 top-flight matches will all be played behind closed doors because of the coronavirus. Having watched Germany's Bundesliga return without fans on television before experiencing the situation himself last week during friendlies, Arteta is aware of the challenges. He believes it will be hard for some players to display their usual intensity because they will not have the energy of a full stadium to feed off. "When I was at the Emirates and there was no crowd, you cannot feel that energy, push or drive," Arteta told reporters in a video press conference on Monday. "The game is different. The intensity drops a little bit. That urgency from the crowd doesn't exist anymore, how passionate the crowds are in England. We have to adapt. "We have to experience it. We have to find ways to motivate our players as well in moments." Like most managers, Arteta has concerns about the fitness of his players after they were forced to work out on their own before the gradual return to organised training. - 'Ready to compete' - With the rest of this season being crammed into just six weeks, Arteta has told his players to forget the unusual circumstances and embrace their return to action. "We try to make the best of it. Don't try to make any excuses, go for it and enjoy because I think we are all missing football so much," he said. "I think we have found the right balance, and the most important thing was to provide the players with a safe environment to work where they could feel there was no risk, or a very limited risk, to develop their profession. "I think we have managed to do that and from now on, the physical part is really good and the mental side as well has been a challenge over those three months. Now let's see how ready we are to compete." Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder and Aston Villa boss Dean Smith said they were aware the eyes of the world would be on their match at Villa Park. "First game back is going to be a little bit different, what we understand is the magnitude of the game, the coverage of the game," Wilder said at his pre-match video press conference on Monday. "From our point of view we want to put on a good show and make sure we play well." Sheffield United, who have 10 games to play, are seventh in the table, chasing Champions League football. Villa are in the relegation places, but Smith said it was an honour to be playing the first game in the English top flight since March. Victory over the Blades, their game in hand over their relegation rivals, would take them out of the drop zone with nine matches remaining. "The eyes of the world will be on us and we are looking forward to it," Smith said. "The players have been itching to get back."

Arteta ready for challenge of Premier League relaunch

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Under-fire Arteta vows to stop Arsenal 'blip'

Arteta ready for challenge of Premier League relaunch