The Gunners currently sit 15th on the Premier League table after a porous run of form that has seen them win one in their last six league matches.
The North Londoners have also lost four consecutive home games in the league for the first time since 1959.
Arteta’s future is now under scrutiny with many bookies tipping the Spaniard to be the next Premier League manager to be sacked despite the backing of the Arsenal board.
With the uncertainty of his future at Emirates in mind, Arteta has called on his entire squad to step up and arrest Arsenal’s poor form.
“I feel the pressure all the time,” said Arteta in a pre-match conference ahead of Wednesday’s league game against Southampton.
“When we had those [better] spells, everything was not so beautiful. The last few months of last summer, there were a lot of difficult moments, believe me. Everything wasn’t nice, easy and enjoyable.
“Obviously, when you are winning, you create a different mood.
“Then the pressure once you win is to win again, that pressure is always going to exist, I prefer that. That pressure when you are always thinking about winning and going into the next trophy, but 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. It’s not time to hide, it’s time to put your face and your body on the line and at the moment, I’m sorry, but we have to take the bullets.
“We’re not winning football matches and you have to put your chest out [and say], ‘Hit me’ because you have the right to hit me, because I’m not winning.
“What else can I do? Put my head down, work harder and try to do things better and improve. It’s how we have to approach this.”
