Vermaelen still targeting Champions League

Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen is confident the club can still manage a top-four finish and qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Arsenal have claimed just one point from their previous three Premier League games – including losses to Manchester City and Chelsea – to slip seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, albeit with a game in hand.

West Ham are Arsenal’s next opponents and Vermaelen is keen to take the positives from their second-half performance in a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.

“In the first half it was hard work,” Vermaelen told the club’s official website.

“We were running after the ball. It cost us a lot of energy.

“The second half was much easier. We had better organisation and a better shape. You could see that we created more chances, were more dangerous and in the end we could have won the game I think.

“It was really frustrating. We know we have the quality to beat Chelsea but it’s all about results.

“We don’t have to look too far ahead. There’s still a long way to go. I’m still confident. You could see it (on Sunday) in the second half. I’m still confident we can get a good (position).”