Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has said his side "dropped too many points against the small teams" as their hopes of winning this season's Premier League title evaporated.
The Gunners seemed primed to challenge for the crown after defeating leaders Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium in February -- but they are now in fourth and 12 points behind them with only three games remaining.
"It would have been possible to win the title this season," Germany international midfielder Ozil told news agency SID. "But we dropped too many points, especially against the small teams."
In 13 league games from mid-January to late April, Arsene Wenger's team have picked up only five wins and suffered crucial back-to-back defeats to Manchester United and Swansea.
Ozil maintained that the Gunners, level on points with third-placed Manchester City, would still secure that spot and automatic qualification for the Champions League.
"At least [if Arsenal did that] we would have reached our minimum goal," he added.
But the 27-year-old World Cup winner said his 18 assists this term had still made it a special season for him.
"I am proud of what I have accomplished this season," he said, and, referring to his shortlisting for the PFA Player of the Year Award, said: "I never cared for personal accolades.
"The success of the team is more important to me."