Arsene Wenger today insisted Arsenal have the momentum in the Premier League top-four race.
The Gunners head to Everton after five straight League victories and will move above Tottenham if they better their rivals’ result against Stoke at White Hart Lane.
Wenger has full-back Andre Santos available for his first start since December following ankle surgery while Abou Diaby scored for the reserves on his latest return to action at Liverpool last night.Arsenal’s easing injury list further adds to the upbeat mood around the club and Wenger believes his side must capitalise with 10 games left.
“It is a key time,” said the manager. “The fixtures are difficult for Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham. It will be about who does the best and they will be the team who focus on the next game and the next result.
“[Last season] we were in four different competitions and we were knocked out in three in the space of two weeks. We are only human beings.
“On top of that, some results were really going against us, you think about the last minute against Liverpool at home and about Tottenham when we were up.
“These two results killed the hope we had to play for the title and from then on we felt, subconsciously, too secure that we were in the top four of the League anyway. Once you don’t go for the Championship any more it’s different.
“This season it’s totally different, we were completely out of the top four, we have come into it on a good run and now, of course, it is taking advantage of that momentum.”
Arsenal set a Premier League record against Newcastle by becoming the first team to win from a losing position in four successive matches and Wenger admits he is happy to “suffer” if their winning streak continues. “Every time we were behind and every time we have shown outstanding spirit,” he said.
“It’s not fantastic for your emotions but overall when it finishes well you accept suffering.
“If that’s the price we have to pay we are ready but you just want to continue with the same attitude because I don’t believe in luck too much on that side of the game.
“Then again, it is how much are you ready to give? How much commitment can you give in every game? How focused can we be?”
