Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny says Arsene Wenger is not solely to blame for their struggles as the Gunners boss all but conceded their top-four hopes.
Pressure on Wenger continues after the 2-1 defeat by Brighton left them 13 points adrift of fourth.
It was the first time Arsenal have lost four consecutive games since 2002.
“As players, we have responsibility on the pitch and need to be together. It is difficult to say it’s his fault or our fault,” Koscielny said.
Arsenal are in sixth in the Premier League on 45 points with nine matches remaining.
Chelsea are in fifth on 53 points, Tottenham occupy the final Champions League spot on 58 points, Manchester United – who travel to Crystal Palace on Monday – are in third with 59 points and Liverpool are a point above them in second.
Wenger felt his side were “passive”, “struggling for confidence” against Brighton and are “going through a tough time” as he acknowledged their hopes of finishing in the Champions League places were slim.
“It is very difficult, nearly impossible now, we are too far behind,” Wenger said.
“I think it has already gone before this but mathematically with five teams in front of us, we need two teams to collapse, not one.”
