Wenger backs Arsenal for top four finish

The 63-year-old indicated if the club consistently replicates its recent good form then it should not miss out, while he welcomed Nigel Adkins back to top-flight management.

Arsene Wenger has insisted he still believes Arsenal will secure Champions League football next season by finishing in the top four this term.
The Gunners currently sit in fifth place in the Premier League table, four points behind north London rival Tottenham which occupies the fourth and final automatic qualification spot.
The Frenchman's side has a game in hand over its neighbor, though, and the 63-year-old insisted if his players carry their recent form into their remaining fixtures then a top-four finish is achievable.

"If we are consistent in the last nine games, we'll do it," he told reporters. "We want to continue our form. [The] Bayern and Swansea results are a good inspiration for that."
Reading, which is second-bottom in the league table, visits the Emirates on Saturday in what is Nigel Adkins' first game in charge since replacing sacked Brian McDermott.
Wenger sent his sympathies to the former Royals boss, but indicated he is pleased to see the former Southampton manager, who was relieved of his duties at St Mary's in January, given another chance in the top flight.

"It's sad to see [McDermott] go," he added. "It's good to see [Adkins] back and that he gets a chance again."
While Arsenal hosts the Premier League strugglers, Spurs travel to League Cup champion Swansea and Everton, which is just two points behind the Gunners, welcomes Stoke to Goodison Park in the later kickoff.