Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is taking full responsibility for the club's worst start to a top-flight league season since 1974. 

The Gunners lost 1-0 to Burnley on Sunday night and lie 15th in the Premier League ahead of Wednesday's visit of Southampton.

Spaniard Arteta has made a promise to the club's supporters that he is doing everything in his power to turn the situation around.

"I feel more responsible than anybody else about this situation and obviously it's because it's not what I want. Everything that we can say - at the end of the day - we have to show it on the pitch and get the results. What I would like to tell the fans is that obviously we are trying and fighting to get this right. It's the least we can do. We know that it's not good enough and we are doing everything we can to change it.

Arsenal have only scored 10 goals in 12 Premier League games and they have the worst disciplinary record in the Premier League over the last twelve months.

Arteta has asked his squad to step up and confront the criticism.

"This is our reality right now and we have to face it. We have to face it being brave, fighting, and no one giving up, or anything. It is not a time to hide, it's time to put your face and body on the line. At the moment, I am sorry, but we have to take the bullets. We are not winning football matches and you have to put your chest there and hit me because you have the right to hit me because I am not winning. So what else can I do? Put my head down? Work harder and try and do things better and improve is how we have to approach it.

Granit Xhaka was sent off against Burnley for grabbing Ashley Westwood by the throat, but Arteta has publicly backed his midfielder, saying the issue of his red card has been resolved 'internally'.

"What I can say about Granit is his professionalism and his commitment to the club and his team is at a maximum. He had a moment where he's lost it. What I cannot do is just throw everything that he's done away because he's made a mistake. We all make mistakes."