01 January,2013 10:52 AM IST | | AFP
The Gunners' campaign has been reignited by a run of four successive league wins and they travel to Southampton on New Year's Day hoping to break back into the top four. They will head into the game at St Mary's Stadium three points behind their north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who lie fourth, and backed by the momentum generated by Saturday's thrilling 7-3 victory over Newcastle United.
Wenger had refused to rule out his side's hopes of forcing their way back into the title race even when Arsenal's season was in danger of falling apart and pressure was growing on the manager's position.
However, a daunting gap of 16 points still exists between Arsenal and Manchester United, who have also played a game more, and Wenger believes his side must maintain recent standards if they are to close the deficit.