CLICHY KEEN TO KEEP IT TIGHT
Gael Clichy knows Arsenal must tighten up at the back if they are to become genuine Barclays Premiership title challengers again next season.
The Gunners kept just two clean sheets during the last 10 matches following their early exit from the Champions League.
While they have won four of those games, lapses in defensive concentration have proved costly too often this season.
Arsenal could finish third in the Barclays Premiership should they better Liverpool's result on Sunday, but there remains a feeling this campaign promised so much more.
Having only stopped the opposition from scoring eight times in 27 games at Emirates Stadium this season, Clichy knows there is certainly room for improvement.
"I do not think it is only frustrating for the back four, I think it is for the team and the fans," said the 21-year-old left-back.
"But like I always say when you cannot keep a clean sheet or you make a mistake, you have to ask yourself the right question.
"I think that is what we miss [clean sheets] because we play well and we know if we do not concede any goals then we will have the chance and the opportunities to score.
"We are trying really hard I can tell you, but for some time we have missed focus and we have made some mistakes. The important thing is to avoid those mistakes."
Clichy added: "I will work even harder next season to keep my position and I am looking to keep playing with all the defenders, because we all have qualities and we work hard to make something happen for the team."
Arsenal could come up against two of their former players in their last game of the season against Portsmouth at Fratton Park - Lauren and Sol Campbell.
Former England defender Campbell, 32, currently struggling with an Achilles problem, and the Cameroonian full-back, 30, were part of the all-conquering 'Invincibles' side who lifted the Premier League trophy in such style three years ago. More
The Gunners kept just two clean sheets during the last 10 matches following their early exit from the Champions League.
While they have won four of those games, lapses in defensive concentration have proved costly too often this season.
Arsenal could finish third in the Barclays Premiership should they better Liverpool's result on Sunday, but there remains a feeling this campaign promised so much more.
Having only stopped the opposition from scoring eight times in 27 games at Emirates Stadium this season, Clichy knows there is certainly room for improvement.
"I do not think it is only frustrating for the back four, I think it is for the team and the fans," said the 21-year-old left-back.
"But like I always say when you cannot keep a clean sheet or you make a mistake, you have to ask yourself the right question.
"I think that is what we miss [clean sheets] because we play well and we know if we do not concede any goals then we will have the chance and the opportunities to score.
"We are trying really hard I can tell you, but for some time we have missed focus and we have made some mistakes. The important thing is to avoid those mistakes."
Clichy added: "I will work even harder next season to keep my position and I am looking to keep playing with all the defenders, because we all have qualities and we work hard to make something happen for the team."
Arsenal could come up against two of their former players in their last game of the season against Portsmouth at Fratton Park - Lauren and Sol Campbell.
Former England defender Campbell, 32, currently struggling with an Achilles problem, and the Cameroonian full-back, 30, were part of the all-conquering 'Invincibles' side who lifted the Premier League trophy in such style three years ago. More
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