We nearly made big mess of it

Arsenal’s comeback from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 at the London Stadium last month.

Lingard said: “We almost made a mess of it at the end. It has been like that for the last three games, but we are still learning.

“We always start really good and on the front foot.

“I am picking up good positions, where the ball is falling. It’s confidence, instinct, knowing players and where the right and left-back are going to put it.

“It is great – games are like cup finals, we grind out the wins and take the points home. There is a big belief in the team.

“To finish in the top four would be a brilliant achievement – in the Champions League for the first time in West Ham’s history.”

Manager David Moyes, who never shouts the odds from rooftops where a whisper in the cellar is available, said: “I was disappointed with the way we finished the game.

“But if you had offered me a 3-2 win against a team who are third in the league and in an FA Cup semi-final, I would have snapped your hand off.

“Jesse has been crucial of course, not just for all the goals he’s scored, but his attitude around the club has lifted everyone.

“It sounds great when people talk about us as Champions League contenders – I just wish the season could end now.

“But we have momentum and a feeling of belief that we have players who can win us games.”

Moyes revealed club captain Mark Noble (above), who made his 400th Premier League appearance for the Hammers, was forced to retire hurt with an elbow injury.