Wenger warns Arsenal have work to do

Arsene Wenger has urged his Arsenal side not to take anything for granted in their quest for the final UEFA Champions League place.

Since losing to fellow European hopefuls Everton at the start of April, Arsenal have reached the final of the FA Cup and won all three Premier League games.

Their most recent victory came against Newcastle United on Monday, handing Arsenal a four-point cushion from Everton in fifth.

However, Wenger warned that their place in the Champions League for the 17th consecutive season is not guaranteed and urged his charges to continue their fine form against West Brom on Sunday.

“(The Newcastle win) is a step forward but we need to make another one because we have another home game (on Sunday),” he said.

“It is another opportunity to win again. What is important is to focus on our performance. Game-by-game, they look strong and convincing now.

“We have to live with reality. We have shown quality but at the moment we have 73 points, we can make 79. Let’s finish as high as we can and analyse after where we can improve, what was right and what was wrong.”

Wenger also highlighted this month’s FA Cup semi-final win against Wigan Athletic on penalties as a turning point, after Arsenal required an equaliser eight minutes from the end of normal time to avoid an upset.

That has left the London club on the brink of a first piece of silverware since 2005, with Hull City awaiting them in next month’s final.

“Wigan was a big game of pressure because the last thing you want is to be 1-0 down with 10 minutes to go of an FA Cup semi-final against a Championship team,” he added.

“It was certainly important on the confidence front.”