Top four spot a ´great achievement´, says Wenger

Arsene Wenger has reiterated the importance of a top-four finish in the Premier League for Arsenal this season.

The Gunners have endured a turbulent campaign, and at one point looked unlikely to finish in a Champions League place.

Indeed Tottenham have been the dominant team in north London for much of the season, yet a recent revival has seen Wenger’s men overtake Spurs, and the Frenchman believes it would be a ‘great achievement’ if they were to finish in the top-four.

“It (a top-four finish) is very important to us,” Wenger told the club’s official website.

“It has a big meaning for us because we want to play at the top but also because of where we came from, that would be a great achievement for us.

“This team has gone through difficult times but we know that we belong with the best and we have shown that again on Sunday. That is why it is important that we continue to go in a strong way.”

With the Gunners still to face London rivals Chelsea as well as a tricky trip to Stoke, Wenger knows his side are not guaranteed a top-four finish just yet, and he believes it is vital Arsenal keep their nerve as the season draws to a close.

He continued: “It is very intense. The closer you get to the end and you go for something important, the more the pressure is there. So to keep your nerve is vital.”

Arsenal travel to Wolves on Wednesday knowing a win against the relegation-threatened side would take them five points clear of Tottenham.

However, Wenger will have to make do without Laurent Koscielny, who is set to face the first of a two-game suspension for amassing 10 yellow cards, a rule which has perplexed the Arsenal manager.

“As we understand the situation, with a red card, he would have been less suspended than with one yellow after 10 bookings,” he said. “It is not completely logical.”