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b]for the first time since 2015-16
Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal are "obliged" to be playing Champions League football after they moved back into the Premier League top four with victory against Leicester. [/b]

Goals from Thomas Partey and Alexandre Lacazette at Emirates Stadium secured in-form Arsenal a fifth win in a row.

It lifted them back into fourth place, one point above Manchester United, who beat fellow top-four contenders Tottenham on Saturday.

Arsenal qualified for 19 successive Champions League campaigns from the 1998-99 season onwards and Arteta believes a club of their stature has to be in the top European club competition.

He said: "We have to be there; we should be there. Our history obliges to be there but we are not there yet and there are still a lot of games to play.

"We have an excellent group of people at the club who believe in what we do. Then you have to put performance into results. The last few months, we have been more consistent."

Partey headed in unchallenged from Gabriel Martinelli's corner after 11 minutes as the hosts capitalised on their dominant start.

The midfielder also struck the crossbar as Arsenal pressed for a second, while goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was twice called upon to deny Harvey Barnes - including a superb reaction save from a header - as the visitors threatened before half-time.

But, after Leicester defender Caglar Soyuncu was penalised for handball following a lengthy video assistant referee review, Lacazette fired in a 59th-minute penalty to put the Gunners in control.

Soyuncu received only a yellow card as Partey's still goal-bound header was cleared off the line by the alert Luke Thomas.

However, there was to be no way back for Brendan Rodgers's side, who remain 12th in the table.

Seeking to end a five-year absence from Europe's elite club competition, Arsenal ensured they remain in pole position in the race to qualify with a ninth win in 11 league games.

With three games in hand over fifth-placed United from which to further strengthen their position, Arteta's men - unlike their immediate rivals - have achieved consistency in both performances and results to emerge as favourites for fourth.

The opening goal was a familiar tale for Leicester, who have now conceded a league-high 15 goals from set-pieces - excluding penalties - after Partey's run to the near post went ignored.

Arsenal had amassed six shots before Leicester, sorely missing injured talisman Jamie Vardy, managed their first attempt after 24 minutes.

But, just as he was in October's reverse fixture, which Arsenal also won 2-0, the inspired Ramsdale was up to the task when the Foxes eventually gained a foothold in the contest.

Martinelli and Bukayo Saka impressed in attack for Arsenal, while Partey was influential in midfield, but it was the slick Martin Odegaard who stood out as he created five big chances for his team-mates in the first half alone.

Lacazette's confidently converted spot-kick ultimately moved the game beyond Leicester, after referee Anthony Taylor also took his time to review Soyuncu's subtle handball on the pitch-side monitor.

"We have seen so many decisions with VAR and things that have gone against us this season in similar situations," said Rodgers.

"Cags is reacting, he is moving his body, he can't move his body like a mannequin and have his arms straight down. Hugely disappointing."

Rodgers' side must quickly dust themselves down as focus switches to securing a place in the last eight of the Europa Conference League, as they take a 2-0 lead into their second leg against Rennes on Thursday.

For Arsenal, a meeting with title-chasing Liverpool on Wednesday will provide an acid test of their progress since a 4-0 loss at Anfield earlier this season.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60635697

Odegaard was on fire yesterday.

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Even if they end up not finishing 4t, Arteta has done a wonderful job so far and should be commended already for how he’s being able to steer the club on an upward trajectory since their initial early season collapse

To think that Arsenal was almost on relegation early this season. They have really done well.

It is shocking that Arsenal is yet to concede directly from a corner kick this season. Amazing!!!

Although I am delighted that we are leading other contenders for the 4th place with a point and 3 games in hand, but still, I am not carried away yet, considering the fact that we are still going to face all those teams. We can only pray for a fit team and good luck to get over the finish line unscathed. The good thing is thayt Arsenal has its fate in its hands.

Without a doubt.

At a point, I thought of doing a DJ Cuppy on Arsenal but now I feel proud of my beloved Arsenal.

We are there. Man U can consolidate on 5th position.

Iyen Arsenal na, I sure say them go relapse
They are really trying though no doubt about it e come be like say Na AuBa dey sit on their glory before

Manchester united will outrun them for sure.

If you ain't an Arsenal fan, I swear to God, you ain't makin' sense!

That one is 80% real

Arsenal is the best team in the world at the moment. No team wants to play against them

Choski78:
Manchester united will outrun them for sure.

arsenal have 3 games at hand and they're 2 points ahead of united

It is always magical seeing Arsenal attack

It is the result of sticking to one couch and believing in him to implement his tactics

Arsenal will play a better football than most teams in the Champions league this season and have shown that they really deserve to be there

#COYG

Arteta has been impressived for the past months, kudos to him

Hmmm, las las they fit still drop...yeye ass-nal

Let's see how it goes

Some of you don’t have haters. You just have people telling you the truth you don’t want to hear.�

Gunners for life

nony43:
To think that Arsenal was almost on relegation early this season. They have really done well.

really really done well even me self mock them like kilode

They need to chill with the big boys!
It's been a while already!

25points out of 30

Much obliged

Good morning house. someone hacked my Facebook account few days ago. Pls how can I recover it. Thanks

bennybuhari:
Arsenal is the best team in the world at the moment. No team wants to play against them

It's been like ages since we heard of Arsenal fans making some noise... They always takes cover like a snail when others were talking

Now this your comment sounds really offkey odd

Arsenal got the force of gravity centered under them.The gravity will soon pull them down the table.This I have seen.Let's see how it goes.

Ndlea... see a prospective customer...

Arsenal must fall for man u to stand