Bernd Leno talks Arsenal’s top four after Mikel Arteta’s Olympiakos message

Bernd Leno says a Champions League finish is the best cure for Arsenal's sleepless nights – and is back in their hands.

The Gunners goalkeeper reckons Arsenal have finally put their Europa League KO at home to Olympiakos behind them.

And they are now right back in the hunt to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2017 with this fortunate win over West Ham.

He said: “First of all, nobody could sleep very well after that disappointing night. But as a football player you have to look forward.

“Sometimes it’s very difficult. It was very difficult losing to Olympiakos. We are out of this competition, we have to finish with the Europa League.

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“This was the mindset from the manager. When it comes to the Champions League, I think it’s all about us, if it will be realistic or not. There is still a gap.

“But we have enough opportunities to reduce this gap and go to the Champions League place.

“Or maybe the fifth is enough, I don’t know, it depends on Man City. But yes, I think it’s all in our hands.”

At the other end of the table, Jarrod Bowen warned West Ham to rediscover their killer instinct if they want to beat the drop.

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The Hammers peppered Arsenal keeper Leno with shots and had enough chances to win this game twice over.

But it’s now six defeats in a row on the road for the Hammers, who entertain Wolves this Sunday before travelling to Tottenham and hosting Chelsea.

New boy Bowen said: “We need to be more ruthless in front of goal, but again the performance levels and the work ethic were there.

“It’s just that final bit which is crucial. We know the quality we have got and we know that we need to keep on performing as we have done – but being more ruthless.

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”The performances over the last three or four games have been promising. The work rate is there, the quality is there, so we’ll go into those games with confidence.

"We’ll focus on ourselves to pick up the points to drag ourselves away from where we are at the minute."

“We have to work on many things and improve many things. Now we focus on Wednesday against City and not what is in May at the end of the season.”

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