Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has stated that his side need to forget about their rivalry with Tottenham in the race for a top four finish, and focus on improving.

Spurs have had an impressive start to the campaign and a 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Monday night lifted Harry Redknapp's men up to third place in the Premier League standings.

The Gunners are three points behind their London rivals and have played a game more, and many are predicting that Tottenham may qualify for the Champions League this term at Arsenal's expense.

Despite the local rivalry between the teams, the French coach wants his men to focus on themselves rather than others.

"I don't believe we have to focus on Spurs, we have to focus on us improving," he told The Daily Mail.

"It's important we don't get confused about what we want to achieve. What we want to do is improve and play better.

"People always make definite conclusions after one game. I saw Spurs' game against Villa and they weren't really challenged.

"There's a long way to go. At the moment Spurs are fighting for the top four like we are. At the end we can both be in the top four and we will try everything possible to be in front of them. But that is not enough for me.

"With or without Tottenham, what we want is to be in the top four. That's our target," he concluded.

Arsenal can seal their place in the knockout rounds of the Champions League on Wednesday night, and need only a draw against Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates Stadium to qualify.

By Gareth McKnight

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