The 63-year-old indicated if the club consistently replicate their recent good form then they 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 rivals Tottenham who occupy the fourth & final automatic qualification spot.The Frenchman’s side have a game in hand over their neighbours, 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, who are second-bottom in the league table, visit 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 ex-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 host the Premier League strugglers, Spurs travel to League Cup champions Swansea and Everton, who are just two points behind the Gunners, welcome Stoke to Goodison Park in the later kick-off.