Nicolas Pepe has admitted Arsenal’s form has failed to improve under interim boss Freddie Ljungberg but insisted the players must “wake up” and take responsibility.

The Gunners were outclassed as Manchester City ran out easy 3-0 winners at Emirates Stadium on Sunday with Kevin De Bruyne scoring a brilliant brace before half-time, either side of Raheem Sterling’s 20th goal of the season for club and country.

Ljungberg has won just one of his five matches since replacing Unai Emery last month and although the club are keen to give the 42-year-old time to change the team’s fortunes, they are under pressure to make a permanent appointment as results continue to suffer.

And Pepe, Arsenal’s club-record £72million signing from Lille, said: “Freddie tries hard, he talks to us, but nothing has changed much in terms of results. It is down to us the players, not the coach.

“Freddie is close to us because he used to be a player not long ago. He knows what we feel so it’s easier for us to talk with him. We will continue to work hard to make things better and win again.

“Us players have to do better quickly. We have won only one game out of the last 12 [in all competitions]. It is not enough, we are Arsenal. It is about us, not the coach or anything else. We have to wake up quickly, starting against Everton.”

The Gunners are expected to continue speaking to possible candidates this week with Mikel Arteta, Carlo Ancelotti, Patrick Vieira and Massimiliano Allegri among the list of names under consideration.

Pepe claimed, however, that the ongoing uncertainty has not affected his team-mates as Arsenal sit seven points outside the top four – the same distance they are above the relegation zone.

“We are not disturbed by the managerial situation,” he said. “I had a similar situation in Lille and we kept going. With hard work, it will get better with Freddie or someone else.

“Against a team like that we have to be aggressive. We have to be solid in the duels and second balls. We were not for 30 minutes and they scored three times. We tried to correct our mistakes after the break. We stayed solid, united and tried to create chances. We will do everything to make it good for the next game.

“We understand the fans. After conceding three goals, they are not happy. They are Arsenal fans, they are used to winning. We need to give them the taste of victory again. We have big games coming up. We need to keep working so we can get this fourth place.”