Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has played down his controversial comments following last season's loss to Newcastle United.

The Swiss midfielder was quoted as saying the Gunners needed more "balls" after the defeat essentially cost them a place in the Champions League.

But Xhaka says he was including himself in those quotes.

"This was not against our young players," Xhaka told ESPN. "I put myself there as well. We were not ready for this game, to fight.

"We knew if we won this game, we would have another final against Everton at home [on the last day of the Premier League season].

"The thing is about the mentality - when you have something, you can take it - it is not the first time we let it down.

"A lot of people start to think, 'Yeah he's speaking again,' and stuff like this, but maybe they didn't understand what and how I meant it.

"If I can say now something about this interview, I told you: this has nothing to do with the young players, it is to do with us all together."