Arsenal attacking midfielder Mesut Ozil has bemoaned his side’s failure to maintain a serious challenge for the Premier League title this season.

The Gunners are currently third in the table, 11 points behind leaders Leicester with just eight matches of their league campaign left to play.

Arsene Wenger’s side were at one stage touted as favourites to secure their first league triumph since 2004, but a run of three wins in their last 10 top-flight matches has all but ended their chances of securing overall glory.

Germany international Ozil believes his side have blown a great opportunity to claim the league title this season, and insists they only have themselves to blame for a potential missed opportunity.

He said: “Looking at our season so far, we have to be honest and admit that we screwed up ourselves. We did not play to our potential in the games against the so-called smaller teams. You immediately get punished for that in the Premier League.”

The former Real Madrid player believes his side still have a slim chance of claiming the title, but he admits they are relying on other teams to slip up during the remaining weeks of the campaign.

He added: “But we still have a chance of winning the title. We have to hope Leicester and Tottenham slip up and then make the most of it.”

Arsenal are next in action when they take on Watford at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. The Gunners are available at 1.36 to secure all three points in the fixture, while the Hornets are on offer at 9.00 and the draw is priced 4.75.