Arsenal first choice goalkeeper Bernd Leno says the Gunners can still secure a top four finish despite their struggles this season.
Arsenal are currently 11th on 23 points, and are nine points behind fourth place Chelsea.
They have won just one of their last eight Premier League games.
With new boss Mikel Arteta watching on from the stands at Goodison Park on Saturday as his side played out goalless with Everton, Leno believes that his appointment can inspire the Gunners, who seriously lack confidence at both ends of the pitch.
“Of course, because I think there are still many games.
“We play against all the top six. We have a lot of opportunities to win games against them. We still believe. It is in our hands.
“We have to show mentality, we have to play good football and I think then we will have opportunities.
“When we just speak about tactics or quality or what was in the past, it doesn’t matter. I think the only way is that we work hard, that we get back our strong mentality and then I think I am confident we can reach our target.”
The stalemate with Everton was Arsenal’s first clean sheet in 15 matches in all competitions, as well as a first shutout away from home since the opening day of the season.
“It was completely different to other games,’ Leno admitted. ‘We didn’t let them have chances, like Freddie [Ljungberg] said and the new manager.
“I think the line-up was very good because everybody was fighting for the team and we showed great mentality.
“Unfortunately we didn’t score, but I think at the end we were happy with our performance and especially with our mentality.”
And on what Arteta told them at Goodison Park, Leno said: “He didn’t speak too much about quality or about tactics, he just said he wants to see players who run, who support their team-mates, who defend the goal or in general play as a team,’ said the German.
“I think this is the way he needs to push us and I think it was a good point that he pushed us on Saturday.”
Arteta will take charge of his first game as Arsenal manager when they travel to the Vitality to take on Brighton on Thursday, boxing day.
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