Experience can propel Arsenal to fourth place, says Wojciech Szczesny

 
Giuseppe Muro17 April 2014

Wojciech Szczesny believes Arsenal’s experience of handling the pressure of the fight for fourth gives them an advantage over Everton in the race for a Champions League place.

Arsenal returned to fourth with a 3-1 win against West Ham at Emirates Stadium last night but Everton have a game in hand and are just a point behind in fifth. Roberto Martinez’s side can move back above the Gunners with victory over Crystal Palace tonight.

While Arsenal could miss out on the Champions League for the first time in 17 years, they have a seemingly easier run-in and have successfully come through this situation before.

Arsene Wenger’s side pipped Tottenham to qualification to Europe’s elite competition in the previous two seasons and Szczesny feels that experience gives them an edge. Everton are trying to reach the Champions League for the first time since 2004-05 and there is a sense they are entering unknown territory.

Szczesny said: “Hopefully, the experience of fighting and having good run-ins over the last couple of seasons can help us get through again. Before the four disappointing results we had recently, we were still in the title race. So that has slipped away from us but it is important for us to fight for the new challenge, which is the top four now.

“We know we have to get a result in every game and wait for Everton to drop points. We are confident we are going to do the job.”

Martinez claims Everton are not feeling any added expectation now their fate is in their own hands and he says the pressure is still on Arsenal. Wenger hopes Everton, who still have to play Manchester United and Manchester City at Goodison Park, will slip up after his side came from behind to beat West Ham.

Just 72 hours after a draining penalty shoot-out win against Wigan in the FA Cup semi‑final, Lukas Podolski scored twice to end Arsenal’s run of four Premier League games without a win.

Matt Jarvis headed West Ham ahead before Podolski’s brace and a goal from Olivier Giroud ensured maximum points.

Szczesny said: “The energy level was not great after playing 120 minutes on Saturday but it was important to get the win. I will take four more games like that until the end of the season as long as we get three points. It does not have to be beautiful at this stage.”

Giroud dedicated his goal to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, removing his black armband and kissing it during his celebration.

“I heard everybody talking about it before and I did not exactly know the story until a few days ago but I just wanted pay homage to them,” said the forward. “It is something which made me feel consoling and I wanted to dedicate my goal to the families involved.”