Gael Clichy accepts that he must shoulder some of the blame for Arsenal's troubles this season.
Gunners defender admits standards have slipped
Gael Clichy accepts that he must shoulder some of the blame for Arsenal's troubles this season.
The Gunners are currently slugging it out with Aston Villa to see who will claim the fourth, and final, UEFA Champions League spot this season.
With their title dreams having, realistically, passed them by this term, securing a top four finish has become crucial.
Below par performances against supposedly weaker sides this season has cost the club dear and French full-back Clichy admits he has been as guilty as anyone for letting his standards slip.
"I cannot hide from that, I've made a lot of mistakes this time," he told
The Observer.
"When you lose confidence, that happens, and it has cost us points.
"All I can say is I am committed to the club, that I give 100 per cent every day in training and in games. I will continue to give everything."
Belief
Clichy agrees that securing Champions League football remains the priority for the Gunners this season but he is refusing to give up on taking the title, pointing to the club's 1998 success - when they overhauled Manchester United's 11-point lead at the top - as a perfect example of how anything is possible.
"This club has been in the Champions League for the past 10 years and we can't afford not to get in," he added.
"We still have time. It is starting to run out but even today the boss has been telling us we can win the title, that we have to keep believing.
"In my case, he didn't have to remind me what happened before (in 1998). Any player who plays for Arsenal should know because it was an amazing achievement.
"The fact that it has been done once gives you encouragement. We have to go for it."
