Monday 29 April 2019 06:11, UK
Granit Xhaka bemoaned Arsenal's inability to seize the initiative for a top-four finish after their third successive Premier League defeat in a week against Leicester.
Arsenal are two points adrift of a Champions League spot after Unai Emery's 10 men suffered a convincing 3-0 loss against Leicester on Sunday - on the back of defeats against Crystal Palace and Wolves.
Meanwhile, Chelsea earned a 1-1 draw against top-four rivals Manchester United in the late Super Sunday encounter at Old Trafford to strengthen their chances of joining third-placed Tottenham in Europe's top tier competition next season.
Asked where the club's hopes of a return to the Champions League stood, with two league games remaining, Xhaka said: "It is not the right moment to think about the top four.
"We had three big chances. It started with Crystal Palace, then Wednesday against Wolves and finished (on Sunday).
"If you don't take from two away games and one at home three points, you can't speak about the top four."
Xhaka admitted the club's struggles on the road - where eight of their 10 league defeats have come - continues to be a particular concern.
"It is difficult to explain why we don't play like at home and why we don't take the points," he said.
"I said this last week. It is a different game away and at home. You can't play like at home.
"You have to win the duels, run more than the opponents because the fans are in front of them.
"All the teams in the Premier League can play football and they can fight. If you don't take the fight against them it looks like (Sunday)."
Arsenal have now lost four of their last five league games, conceding three goals in each of their last three matches, but Xhaka insisted the Gunners squad are showing the required on-field desire.
"We fight. It's not that we don't fight because if we didn't fight we wouldn't go to play," the Swiss midfielder said.
"It is difficult to explain. Whenever you lose it is always difficult to find the right words."
Arsenal will aim to respond to their dismal week in the league with a strong home performance against Valencia in the Europa League semi-final first leg on Thursday.
The Gunners lost to eventual winners Atletico Madrid in last year's semi-final and Xhaka concedes the competition could now provide their best chance of competing among Europe's elite.
"If we are in the semi-final then of course. We have two games in front of the final," the 26-year-old said.
"I know anything can happen but if you are three games from the title you have to think positive."
