Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech admits the team's form has been "a big disappointment" but insists their quality isn't as far from Manchester City as the Premier League table suggests.
Cech told the BBC's Premier League Show his decision to join Arsenal from Chelsea in 2015 was based on the hope of "bringing back the title" to the Emirates, but acknowledged that things haven't gone to plan.
Arsenal finished outside the top four last season for the first time under Arsene Wenger and are languishing in sixth place this time around.
"Especially last year, that was a big disappointment because this is a club that should be in the Champions League and that should not miss Champions League football and obviously had not missed it for 21 years," Cech said.
"The most disappointing thing is if you look at our home form we are right there with the top teams. If you look at our away form, it was terrible."
Arsenal have lost eight away games in the league this season, including at Stoke, Watford, West Brom and Brighton. They're currently 13 points outside the top four and 33 points behind leaders Manchester City.
"I don't believe our qualities and Manchester City's qualities are 30 points apart. We haven't played well enough to keep up with them and obviously it's our fault," Cech said.
"I understand the frustration and I understand when it goes on for more than 10 years and so many times you are close, and you don't jump the last hurdle, it's obviously disappointing."
Arsenal could still salvage this season by winning the Europa League and Cech admits he's desperate to win silverware at the club.
"The main decision [to join Arsenal] was the challenge of bringing back the title. We had never won the Champions League as Arsenal so I have to say that was another part," he said.
"When you think, you know what, I won everything with Chelsea, why not do exactly the same with Arsenal? That was my motivation, and it's my motivation even now. Because I believe it is achievable."
Cech, 35, says he is considering taking up a coaching role when he retires.
"More and more I'm kind of going with the idea, yes I want to coach," he added. "There are so many opportunities how I can use my experience from having worked with so many top coaches, that I hope it can be useful."