Wenger: Arsenal nowhere near title race

Arsene Wenger has set Arsenal a target of seven wins from their remaining 11 Premier League games to secure a top-four finish.

Arsenal go into Wednesday night's clash at struggling Queens Park Rangers in third place but Manchester United are just a point back in fourth, while Southampton are two adrift and Liverpool three points behind.

Wenger believes 72 points will be enough to secure Champions League football, but added: "People have finished in the top four with 67 points, but if you look at this year we have 51 points now. So it will be in the 70s. It is a tough run-in but it will be similar to last year.

"Look, have you seen the quality of the teams behind us? Southampton, Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester United. The best way is to look forward and go as fast as we can.

"It will be down to consistency because mathematically it is not impossible for the guys behind us to catch us, but also for us to catch the teams in front of us. You just have to focus on yourself and win the next game."

A season-ending tally of 72 points means Arsenal require another 21 to reach that target, but Wenger also conceded he would like to remain in the top three and thus avoid the need to play in a qualifying round to reach the Champions League group stage.

"It has not been every year, but when you have to go through the qualifiers you are not in the Champions League," he said of Arsenal finishing fourth. "It is better that you finish in the top three than the top four. Fourth is not a guarantee of Champions League football.

"The only thing you can say is that [this season] it is very tight. You look in front of you, Manchester City are four points ahead of us, and you look behind you, there's plenty of people chasing us.

"That will be very, very tight and it will be down to consistency in our results and mental strength. That will certainly be needed again on Wednesday night."

© Getty Images Enlarge Arsene Wenger says Arsenal need to reach 72 points to be sure of a Champions League spot

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