Arsene Wenger has insisted Arsenal are still in the title race – even though they could be 16 points behind leaders Leicester when they kick off against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The Gunners are in third place – six points behind North London rivals Tottenham – with Manchester City just two points back.

“It's tight,” said the Frenchman. “We have to look behind us because everybody is chasing. But, as well, there could still be twists and turns before the end. We want to fight to still put pressure on teams in front of us.

"We need a strong run at home now and that's what we want to do. It is perceived that the championship is over, but I don't think that completely even if Leicester are in a very strong position.

In pictures: West Ham 3-3 Arsenal

"We have to fight until the last minute of the season. It would be over if we lost and they win, so that's why we have to make sure that doesn't happen.”

Fourth place would not be enough to qualify for the Champions League if City win the competition this season and finish outside the top four – or Liverpool win the Europa League.

“It could happen, but let's be in the position No3, No2 or No1,” Wenger said.

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Image:
Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC)

Wenger, who picked David Ospina in last week's 3-3 draw at West Ham, would not reveal if Petr Cech will return on Sunday.

“I have not decided, and I'll tell them first,” he said.

Wenger will seek his 500th Premier League win against his old sparring partner Alan Pardew. The two famously nearly came to blows on the Upton Park touchline in 2006.

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Asked if the two had mellowed, the Arsenal boss said: “Maybe. I believe that the alerts are still there sometimes, but the distance between the two managers is quite good. You have to sprint nearly to have a go at each other.”

Wenger added: “It's a London derby. Crystal Palace, now, should be completely safe even if they may still need one or two points. But I think they got out of relegation trouble, nearly.

"They're a team with a good offensive potential, with strong individuals like Bolasie, Zaha, Adebayor, Wickham, a big offensive force. So we have to rectify the fact we conceded at West Ham and come back to being strong defensively.”

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