Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists they can still make the Premier League top four and qualify for next season’s Champions League.
His team may be in 10th position on the log after Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but Arteta believes he has seen enough in that match to know they are on the up.
Arsenal looked to be heading home empty-handed after Cesar Azpilicueta scored with just six minutes remaining to put the Blues 2-1 ahead.
But Hector Bellerin’s brilliant left-footed finish saved a point for the 10-man visitors.
A delighted Arteta says: “Time will tell [if we make the top four] but at least I saw a reaction and all I demand of them is to not give up and keep playing with the spirit.
“I am so proud of the team, how they reacted, how they step up when a teammate makes a mistake and that is what they did, all of them.”
The Gunners were reduced to 10 men when Shkodran Mustafi’s poor backpass led to David Luiz fouling Tammy Abraham in the 26th minute.
FIGHTERS: Martinelli celebrates with Lucas Torreira and Bellerin. Picture: REUTERS
Jorginho made no mistake from the spot. At that point, Arteta thought it was overs.
He says of shuffling his team around: “We thought about taking everybody off because energy levels went down...
“[But] when you are willing, have the spirit and the attitude, you can play anywhere."
Arsenal hung on and found themselves level in the 63rd minute when 18-year-old wonderkid Gabriel Martinelli set off on a solo run to score their first equaliser.
They ultimately came away with a share of the spoils and remain 10 points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
LET IT SLIP: Blues’ Frank Lampard. Picture: SCOTT HEPPELL/REUTERS
But Arteta warns his London rivals that they must watch their back, saying: “We are hoping to fight for the Champions League until the end…”