Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is looking for another good performance from his side as they travel to Sunderland on Saturday.
The Gunners thumped Blackburn Rovers 7-1 in their last encounter, a result which has given Wenger the confidence that they can finish in the top four.
The Frenchman - who has led Arsenal to three English Premier League titles - knows consistency is the key to a top-four finish and said the feeling among the camp is all rosy.
"We still have real hope that we can finish the season the strongest," Wenger said.
"We have a good spirit and desire within the group - and we have quality. We know that with the position we are in we need an exceptional consistency, so that is the challenge we have in front of us at Sunderland."
A win at red-hot Sunderland could lift Arsenal as high as fourth if results go their way, but winning at The Stadium of Light will not be easy.
In the 10 Premier League matches since Martin O'Neill has taken over, Sunderland have won seven and lost just two.
Both losses have come on the road and four wins from five home fixtures under the former Aston Villa and Celtic manager indicate just how hard they are to beat at home.
Fatigue could be a factor in Saturday's fixture though, with Sunderland playing 120 minutes of football on Wednesday as they defeated Middlesbrough 2-1 after extra time in a fourth-round FA Cup replay.
The reward for winning that is another match-up against Arsenal - also at The Stadium of Light - meaning Wenger's side will travel to Sunderland twice in a week.
With their opponents involved in midweek action, Arsenal will undoubtedly be fresher and they are likely to welcome Kieran Gibbs (hernia) back from injury.
Jack Wilshere (ankle) is still on the sidelines but the Gunners' injury problems pale into comparison to the issues facing Sunderland, who could almost field a team full of absentees.
Saturday's match will come too soon for Lee Cattermole (hamstring), David Vaughan (ankle), Nicklas Bendtner (facial injury) and Titus Bramble (calf) while Craig Gordon (knee), Matthew Kilgallon (ankle) and Wes Brown (knee) are long-term absentees.
Arsenal have not won at Sunderland since October 2007 when Robin van Persie bagged a double in a 3-2 victory.
They will not have a better chance against a fatigued and injury-hit Sunderland, but O'Neill's side are more than capable of springing a surprise and should not be taken lightly.
|
J. McClean 70'
|
1 - 0 |
|
1 - 1 |
75' A. Ramsey
|
|
1 - 2 |
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | S. Mignolet | |
| 16 | J. O'Shea | |
| 11 | K. Richardson |
 18'
|
| 2 | P. Bardsley | |
| 4 | M. Turner | |
| 28 | S. Sessègnon | |
| 8 | C. Gardner | |
| 7 | S. Larsson | |
| 14 | J. Colback | |
| 23 | J. McClean |
 70'
|
| 9 |
F. Campbell
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44'
|
| Coach: M. O'Neill | ||
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | W. Szczęsny | |
| 4 |
P. Mertesacker
|
|
| 3 | B. Sagna | |
| 5 | T. Vermaelen | |
| 6 | L. Koscielny | |
| 7 | T. Rosický |
77'
|
| 8 | Mikel Arteta | |
| 17 | A. Song | |
| 15 |
A. Oxlade-Chamberlain
|
|
| 10 | R. van Persie | |
| 14 |
T. Walcott
|
|
| Coach: A. Wenger | ||
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 17 |
for F. Campbell 87' |
|
| 20 | ||
| 3 | ||
| 10 | ||
| 18 | ||
| 25 | ||
| 27 |
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 12 |
for A. Oxlade-Chamberlain 66' |
90+1'
|
| 16 |
for P. Mertesacker 72' |
75'
|
| 23 |
for T. Walcott 87' |
|
| 21 | ||
| 28 | ||
| 30 | ||
| 39 |
