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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain warns Tottenham that Arsenal will use experience to claim Champions League place

The Gunners are up to third in the table

Jim van Wijk
Monday 15 April 2013 12:01 BST
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Olivier Giroud of Arsenal and Sebastien Bassong of Norwich City compete for the ball
Olivier Giroud of Arsenal and Sebastien Bassong of Norwich City compete for the ball

Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has warned Tottenham that the Gunners are ready to use last season as an inspiration and cement their place in the top four of the Barclays Premier League over the run-in.

Arsene Wenger's men produced a dramatic late rally to come from behind to beat Norwich 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium yesterday, which lifted them back up into third place.

With a home game against Everton on Tuesday night followed by next Saturday's trip to Fulham, by the time Spurs kick off against Manchester City at White Hart Lane on Sunday, the Gunners could even be in second.

The Gunners have chalked up eight wins in the last 10 Premier League games in similar fashion to the run 12 months ago when they overhauled their north-London rivals to snatch third spot on the final day - and with it automatic qualification to the group stages of the Champions League.

Oxlade-Chamberlain believes history can be repeated.

He said: "That helps to know that we did it last season and we managed to squeeze in last season for the Champions League in the way that we did.

"Previous experiences can help you and contribute in the way that you feel in the season afterwards. The fact that we did it last season definitely helps our confidence to do it again this season."

Oxlade-Chamberlain, who came off the bench to help kickstart Arsenal's late rally, insists the squad have what it takes to last the distance.

"We really have built that team spirit, solidarity and winning mentality. We never give up," he said.

"To come back from a goal down in the last few minutes is brilliant and it gives us a massive boost, massive confidence and a massive three points looking forward to the end of the season.

"We just want to win every game that comes our way. That's the best way to put pressure on the teams around us.

"We can't worry about what they're doing and what their results are. We can only control our own results."

He added: "We have to focus on each game as it comes and Everton is another big one for us, another good opportunity for us to stamp our authority."

Norwich were incandescent after the award of a penalty with just five minutes left when the assistant referee spotted a shirt pull by Kei Kamara on Olivier Giroud.

Once Mikel Arteta had converted, the Gunners rallied again and turned the match around when Giroud swept home from close range before substitute Lukas Podolski crashed in a third during stoppage time.

Wenger denied his team had got lucky, instead focusing on what was in the end another display of great character.

"We have good spirit, good mental strength and desire and we are up for a fight and that's what we want to show again on Tuesday against Everton," the Gunners boss said.

"It has strengthened our belief that we can do it (finish in the top four), but we will go with the right focus against Everton and we know what is at stake. We will really go for it."

PA

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