Koscielny keen to seal third place

Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny is desperate to avoid being part of the first Arsenal team in 15 years to miss out on Champions League qualification.

The third-placed Gunners can book their place in Europe’s elite competition with a win against West Brom on Sunday, but if they fail to do so they know that fourth place might not be enough.

Following Chelsea’s 4-1 defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday, the Blues cannot make the top four, but should they win the Champions League they would claim qualification for the next tournament and fourth place would miss out.

“Every player wants to be in third place; it is very important for the squad, the club, for everything,” Koscielny told the club’s official website.

“We must do it on the pitch to make sure we are in third place after Sunday’s game.

“Since Arsene Wenger was here, Arsenal have (almost) always qualified for the Champions League, so I don’t want this to be the first team not to qualify.”

Arsenal travel to the Hawthorns on Sunday with Champions League rivals Tottenham and Newcastle facing Fulham and Everton respectively.