Arsene Wenger and Robin van Persie know Arsenal will have to lift themselves for their clash with Manchester City on Sunday.
Gunners duo look for response against City following QPR defeat
Arsene Wenger and Robin van Persie know Arsenal will have to lift themselves for their clash with Manchester City after the disappointment of their defeat at QPR.
The Gunners saw their seven-game winning streak come to an end at Loftus Road on Saturday as a below-par display allowed their relegation-threatened London rivals to take all three points.
Tottenham's victory over Swansea on Sunday saw them move level with the Emirates outfit in the Premier League table, while Chelsea and Newcastle are just five points adrift following their respective successes against Aston Villa and Liverpool.
Arsenal's next outing sees them play host to title-chasing Manchester City on Easter Sunday, by which time they could be down to fourth and have the Blues and Magpies within striking distance.
Star striker Van Persie remains confident that the Gunners can maintain their advantage over the closing weeks of the season and secure automatic qualification to the group stages of next season's UEFA Champions League.
Seven big games
The Holland international told reporters: "We have seven more games to play and I believe we can come third. It won't be easy, everyone is fighting for every point and our opportunity is next week against Man City. We have to go for it and believe and we will.
"It is a shame we have to wait eight days for the game against Manchester City but it is how it is. It is a big blow but we have to look forward and the next one is a big one.
"Even last week when we were three points ahead (of Spurs) with eight games we never thought it was done. Chelsea won and came closer but we have to look at ourselves.
"Everyone is disappointed but towards the end of the week I am sure the spirit will be how it was. We'll have a couple of days to be disappointed but after that our focus is on Manchester City.
"They are second but drew against Sunderland so they will need the points. We have seven big games to play but if you look at the big name teams then we have City and Chelsea. As a fan of football I always like to play those games and one of them is next week."
Respond
Manager Wenger, meanwhile, has urged his players to put together another flawless charge over the final seven games of the season and does not expect to see another disjointed display this weekend.
Wenger added: "It's a good opportunity to put things right again, of course. I believe that we will see a different Arsenal on Sunday but I can tell you as well that it will be needed.
"We have played well against the top teams and that is our target again. We know how to respond, as we have been exposed to this situation before this season.
"We have to win every single game now. That it is why it is so disappointing to lose."
