For the first time in 22 years, we will finish below Tottenham in the league.

Sadly it’s a fact and Arsene Wenger did not try to play it down when he faced the media after Sunday’s derby.

The boss has overseen years of supremacy in north London but he accepts that we’ve been beaten by the better team:

on being 17 points behind Tottenham and whether that's a fair reflection…

Look, the points are the points. They do not come from heaven, you earn them on the pitch. That's it.

on whether he believes there is a large gap between the two teams…

Look, whether I believe or not, the gap is there. That is often in the final part of the season, that can go one way or the other without really reflecting the difference between the teams. But I know it's a good subject for the media.

on whether he still thinks we can make the top four…

It will be very difficult now, but we have to fight. We have a cup final, we have still a chance to get into the top four and we have to recover from today and prepare for our next games.