Hector Bellerin has told the Daily Mail that he can understand the frustration of Arsenal fans this season, and has said the club's failings lie with the players, not manager Arsene Wenger.
Bellerin, 22, was part of the Arsenal team that failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 18 years after finishing fifth in the Premier League.
The club's poor form has led to criticism of Wenger and the players, but Bellerin says that is to be expected and is something they must handle.
"It's something you've got to deal with," he said. "When you win you're going to get fans chanting your name and when you don't do great they're going to give you stick ...
"It is part of football and I understand. I am a football fan, I've watched football my whole life. When my favourite team didn't do well I'd get angry.
"In that sense, I understand the fans in that situation ... You get the perks of football and the cons. That's one of the things that's going to happen. When you're angry you can say something you don't mean. Everyone's got their opinion and sometimes it's going to hurt ...
"This year it's down to us. We weren't playing at the level required. The manager has always been able to compete at the top through the years with different players. He's won the Premier League. Last year we finished second."
The Spain international has been linked with a return to hometown side Barcelona, but he is under contract until 2022 and says he is not thinking about leaving.
"I signed my contract for a reason," he said. "I signed it because I wanted to be here. I wouldn't have done it otherwise.
"Arsenal is the club that gave me the chance to be a professional and since the first time I met with the boss he's always said if I progressed the right way I could be an Arsenal player for a long time.
"I've been here nearly six years and I love London. I'm still discovering the city."