Vermaelen - I am confident of top four

Thomas Vermaelen is still confident that Arsenal can secure a top-four finish, despite Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Chelsea.

Arsène Wenger’s side are seven points behind fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur, though they do have a game in hand - Wednesday’s fixture against West Ham United.

Vermaelen and his team-mates are frustrated by recent results but the captain is taking heart from Arsenal’s second-half display at Stamford Bridge.

“In the first half it was hard work,” he said. “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].”