Arteta: Arsenal fans deserve better

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta believes that the fans are right to be critical of the players after the Gunners' 2-0 defeat to Swansea City at the Emirates Stadium that saw them slip to 10th in the Premier League.

"They've got all the right to be upset with us," Arteta told reporters. "We can't keep asking them to be behind us if afterwards we don't give them back what they deserve. So it's up to us."

He added, "We have to respect what they do. We will get criticized, and it's part of our job, but the main thing is everyone gives 100 percent and that's what we're trying to do."

The fans booed the team off the pitch after two late goals by the Michu sunk the north Londoners, whose poor form has seen some supporters call for manager Arsene Wenger to be sacked, with them trailing league leaders Manchester United by 15 points, but the 30-year-old midfielder thinks that the blame should rest with the players.

"We can't keep asking the fans to stay behind us. They will be very frustrated and it's up to us to put it right," Arteta said.

"When there are bad results, obviously everyone will be criticized. Not only the manager but the players and the staff, we are no different. It's our fault if we haven't done it."