Football: Arteta takes responsibility for Arsenal's poor form

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he is ready to "take the bullets" for the club's dismal form in the Premier League and urged his players to put everything on the line to arrest their slump.

Arsenal suffered their fourth defeat in five league matches on Sunday after going down 1-0 at home to Burnley, leaving them 15th in the standings with 13 points.

The club are off to their worst start to a season in almost 40 years, leading to questions over Arteta's future -- 12 months after he replaced Unai Emery at the Emirates Stadium.

"I feel the pressure all the time. It will always exist," Arteta told reporters ahead of Wednesday's league clash against Southampton.

"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.

"At the moment, I'm sorry but we have to take the bullets. We are not winning football matches and you have to put your chest there and (say) 'hit me' because you have the right."

Arsenal are five points off the relegation zone but Arteta is confident that the tide will turn soon.

"I want to think that we are in a blip, losing football matches makes me believe that but we need to start to win," Arteta added.

Midfielder Granit Xhaka was sent off against Burnley after a VAR review spotted him grabbing Ashley Westwood by the throat.

When asked if Xhaka had apologised to his team mates, the Arsenal coach said: "It's been resolved internally and this is all I can say. He has had tough times here and he's not the only one, there's a lot of players that have had rocky moments."

Arsenal must trust in Arteta, says Guardiola

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has backed former assistant Mikel Arteta to turn Arsenal's fortunes around despite the club's dismal start to the season.

With 13 points from 12 Premier League games, Arsenal are off to their worst start to a campaign in almost 40 years and the pressure is building on Arteta, who was given the manager's job last December after winning two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups under Guardiola at City.

"Arsenal don't have a better manager that can lead this club in this year and the next," Guardiola said ahead of City's home game against West Bromwich Albion later on Tuesday.

"I don't have to give publicly my support because he has it. He's one of the best managers I've ever worked with and seen. I'm pretty sure he will turn things around and perform like everyone expects. When a club comes from not a good period, it needs time.

"If I was part of the board, I would not have any doubts about his capacity to put Arsenal in the place they deserve to be."

Arsenal technical director Edu said Arteta was on the right track and predicted a bright future for the club, who have not won a league title since 2004.

"Mikel is doing a great job," Edu said.

"It's normal and easy to be driven by results. But I can see the future, see where we go and the way we are building things on a daily basis.

"I can see a big and beautiful future. It's very strange to say that in this moment, but I have to be fair - that's the way I see it."

Difficult to see Pogba leave Utd in Jan: Agent

France midfielder Paul Pogba is likely to remain at Manchester United until next summer as it would be difficult to organise such a high-profile transfer in January, his agent said.

Mino Raiola had said last week the 27-year-old was unhappy at United and needed to change teams "in the next transfer market" to reignite his career. However, Pogba has since pledged his commitment to United.

"I was talking about next summer," Raiola was quoted as saying by Tuttosport on Monday.

"When it comes to Pogba in England they are sensitive, perhaps too sensitive.

"It's very difficult to see big clubs making these kinds of transfers in January. We will see what happens next summer."

Pogba, who joined from Juventus for 89 million pounds ($118.59 million) in 2016, has featured in nine Premier League matches this season, starting only six.

His contract runs out in June 2022.

Zlatan calls on Milan to have the 'courage' to win Scudetto

AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic said his side need to have the courage to win a first Serie A title in nine years, insisting he and his team mates are hungry to dethrone Juventus.

Milan are top of the standings, three points ahead of city rivals Inter and four clear of Juventus, who are looking to win their 10th consecutive Italian top-flight title.

Despite turning 39 in October, Ibrahimovic leads the Serie A goalscoring charts this season, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, to help his side remain unbeaten, getting fans dreaming of a return to Milan's glory days after their struggles in recent years.

"The team must have courage for the dream of winning the Scudetto," Ibrahimovic said at the Gazzetta Sports Awards after winning the Legend Award.

"It is long (season), I hope to continue like this. We are hungry, willing, to do more."

Ibrahimovic has not featured for Milan since scoring twice in a 3-1 win at Napoli on November 22, but the veteran Swede said he is working hard to make his return.

"I'm training a lot, my philosophy is this: if you work hard, it all goes back," Ibrahimovic added.

"I have those around me who make me feel good."