Gunners aim to get back on track

Arsenal’s season has been marked by too many false starts, but Thomas Vermaelen believes the FA Cup victory over Aston Villa can help salvage the club’s faltering challenge for a top-four spot.

Arsene Wenger’s side resume their Premier League campaign away to Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday in their first match since an astonishing Cup fightback against Villa.

Trailing 2-0 at half-time, the pressure on Wenger appeared certain to increase before three quick goals in the second half set up a final 16 clash with either Sunderland or Middlesbrough. Having not won it all since they lifted the FA Cup in 2005, it was important the Gunners retained their interest in the competition.

Their focus now switches back to the Premier League.

Arsenal’s chances of mounting a challenge in the title race disappeared after three successive defeats left them 18 points back of leaders Manchester City.

The priority now is to reclaim a place in the top four — and with it entry to next season’s Champions League. Wenger’s team, however, is fifth, five points behind fourthplaced Chelsea.

Arsenal cannot afford to drop further behind and Vermaelen insists the victory over Villa will have an impact on their prospects for the rest of the season.

“It always gives you confidence if you get a good comeback win,” Vermaelen said.