Arsenal must win every remaining match for top-four finish, says Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger says Arsenal must win every one of their remaining Premier League matches if they are to stand any chance of finishing in the top four.

The Gunners cut the gap to fourth-placed Manchester City to seven points with a 2-1 victory at Middlesbrough on Monday Night Football and have a game in hand on Pep Guardiola's side.

Goals from Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil either side of an Alvaro Negredo strike for the hosts sealed the points for Arsenal but Wenger knows there is no margin for error if they are to secure Champions League football again next season.

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Wenger said: "For us, the clarity is there - we have to win every game to have a chance to get in the top four, starting tonight.

"I think it will make the team a bit more serene. You could see that on some occasions, we were a bit over-cautious tonight. Hopefully that will give us a bit more confidence.

"Mathematically it is still possible, even if it is difficult, but we have to give it a go."

Wenger fielded a back three against Middlesbrough for the first time in his 20-year reign in the 2-1 victory on Teesside.

Asked if the ploy had worked, Wenger said: "Yes, it is the first time in 20 years. That shows you that even at my age, you can change.

"I felt we were recently a bit vulnerable defensively and I wanted a bit more reassurance to the team. Recently we have faced many direct games, and I thought before the game maybe they would play with [Rudy] Gestede and Negredo and go for a very direct game.

"That was the reason. It worked well in the first half. We didn't give any chances away, we were quite solid."