Wenger still gunning for top four

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger maintains his side still have what it takes to finish in the top four after being held to a goalless draw by a battling Everton side in their Barclays Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Despite plenty of endeavour, Wenger's men were unable to breakdown a determined Everton, who utilised all their physical qualities if not collecting the win they probably needed to harbour any real hopes of getting into the top four.

"We should have won the game, but it still keeps us in a strong position in the race for the top four," said the Arsenal manager. "We had the chances to score, and that's my regret. Maybe we used power instead of technique too much in our finishing."

He added: "My belief was always strong and still is. I am confident we will do it. The best way is to put the same effort into the next game."

There were plenty of hefty challenges from the visitors, notably from Darron Gibson in the first half on Theo Walcott - with the midfielder fortunate not to have been shown two yellow cards in succession by referee Neil Swarbrick for body-checking the England winger.

Wenger was not impressed and said: "I felt that in the first half the referee didn't deal at all well with the intimidating physical challenges, but that we responded well to the physicality.

"It was detrimental to the fluency of our game, but we kept going, had good concentration."

Everton boss David Moyes defended his side's approach.

He said: "Do you mean when we were a little bit rough with the tackling? Up north we do that quite often, that's actually allowed in football. We weren't going to come here and let Arsenal stroke the ball around and make 600 tackles."

Moyes added: "I am pleased with the performance, and with the result. You are never disappointed taking a point at the Emirates, you can't be with the quality they have here."

Source : http://www.football.co.uk/arsenal/wenger_still_gunning_for_top_four_rss4017207.shtml