The Verminator: We must secure Top-Four slot
Arsenal's Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen (L) vies with Chelsea's English striker Daniel Sturridge (R) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at The Emirates Stadium in north London, England on April 21, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ADRIAN DENNIS
London
Thomas Vermaelen insists Arsenal will shake off the draining effects of their marathon FA Cup semi-final win over Wigan in time to revive their bid for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Arsene Wenger’s team were pushed to the limits by holders Wigan and needed a late equaliser from Per Mertesacker to force the penalty shoot-out which finally enabled them to see off their stubborn Championship opponents after a 1-1 draw at Wembley on Saturday.
Several of Wenger’s players were struggling with cramp in extra-time, while left back Nacho Monreal limped off in the second half, but there is no recovery period for the Gunners, who must beat London rivals West Ham at the Emirates Stadium tonight to stay in the hunt for a Champions League place.
Everton moved above the Gunners into fourth place at the weekend and Roberto Martinez’s side have a two-point advantage with just five games to go.
A victory over the Hammers would temporarily lift Arsenal back into fourth before Everton host Crystal Palace tomorrow, and Belgian defender Vermaelen believes the morale boost from reaching their first FA Cup final since 2005 — they will face Hull at Wembley on May 17 — can help his team-mates ignore their aching limbs in another crucial clash.
“It was a long day and a quick turnaround but we’ve done that before, playing Saturday and Tuesday, so we can’t use that as an excuse,” Vermaelen said.
“There was a lot of talk about needing the result for a few different reasons, for the manager and showing we could fight and I think we did that. “It will give us a boost for the rest of the season now.”
