We need rivals to stumble
says KIERAN GIBBS
KIERAN GIBBS says Arsenal need one of their top-four rivals to choke if they are to gatecrash the Champions League places.
Arsene Wenger’s men moved to within three points of fourth-placed Manchester City, and four behind Liverpool in third, after winning 2-0 at Southampton on Wednesday.
The Gunners have won five of their last six matches in all competitions to ease the pressure on Wenger.
But full-back Gibbs, whose side travel to Stoke tomorrow for another crunch clash, said: “There are high stakes at the moment.
“There is still a lot to play for but we need some other teams to drop points.
Push
“We want to just focus on ourselves. There is a quick turnaround between games and you are more tired at the end of the game and have to find a balance.
“You have to assess how the game is going, whether that team is on top at the moment or whether to push on or not.
“It is important to stay focused for the whole game and that gives you the best chance.”
Arsenal looked down and out after being thrashed 3-0 by relegation-threatened Crystal Palace last month and defender Shkodran Mustafi hopes their turnaround has not come too late.
The German, who made his comeback from injury at Southampton, said: “I wish we had found our form before.
“But now we have three games and we have to give everything to try and get everything out of all the games. Hopefully at the end we’ll reach our goals.
“Southampton was an important game and it was tough as well.
“We knew that going there is not easy against a good team, a team that likes to play. I think we did well being patient in the first half.
“We had opportunities, they had one or two as well, so it was an open game.
“But in the second half we came and just kept playing our game and waiting until the opportunity came.”
Arsenal have a game in hand over Liverpool but goalkeeper Petr Cech reckons they must win all three of their remaining fixtures to stand any chance of extending Wenger’s run of successive top-four finishes into a 21st season.
Cech, who made two vital saves against Saints, said: “Recently we shot ourselves in the foot against Tottenham, because we did not get any points.
“We left ourselves in a situation where we have to keep winning every game.
“We are aware of the fact we probably need to win all of our remaining games, to be sure we will be in the race until the end.”