Saturday 16 April 2016 07:16, UK
Francis Coquelin has been left frustrated by Arsenal's slump after the winter, but says the current side can do something special in the future.
Arsenal were top of the league at Christmas, but have won just six of their last 15 league games and were knocked out of both the FA Cup and Champions League at the last 16 stage.
They now sit 13 points off leaders Leicester, albeit with a game in hand, and Coquelin could not hide his frustration at the loss in form around February and March.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Coquelin said: "It's difficult. The league is not over yet, but it's difficult, I give you that. It's frustrating because this season we had quite a lot of injuries at the same times. Santi [Cazorla], Alexis [Sanchez], I got injured as well, and when the team was in a good run.
"It was difficult to take, but injuries are always going to happen in a season. At the end of the day you have to get the result. It is frustrating, but we had this February, March period where we lost to Swansea, got knocked out of the Champions League, and lost to Manchester United, so it was difficult.
"I don't think it's a mental block. You can have bad periods in November as well, but there's always a part in the season where we drop off a little bit and ease off, playing so well and then suddenly change.
"When you look at the league this season it's crazy as well. You look at the table and I don't think anybody could have predicted it at this time of the year. It's a crazy season, but looking at it, I think everyone believes we could have done something better and been in a stronger position."
Arsenal have six games remaining to finish the season on a high, but with the pressure piling on manager Arsene Wenger, their summer transfer activity could be defining again.
They are without a Premier League trophy since 2004, but Coquelin is convinced the current crop of stars has the talent to achieve more than they currently are.
"With the talent we've got and the potential we've got, we should be higher in the table.
"When you look at the potential in the team we have, it's normal that the fans and everyone expects us to win the title. It hasn't happened for so long and you can understand the frustration of the fans, and we all do get frustrated as well, because we do want this title. We want it badly as well.
"The word is frustration. With the talent we have we can do something special. We have six games to do something right, we need to at least win the last six games for us, and for the fans, because they deserve this.
"I understand the fans because I was just a fan when I was injured for two months, you feel it more.
"Last season I think we had 10 wins in a row to finish, and we can do it. We owe the fans because they're always behind us, whether away or at home. If we finish the season strong who knows what can happen."
Watch the extended interview with Coquelin on Soccer Saturday from midday on Sky Sports News HQ
