It's hot at the top! Arsene Wenger lifts lid on Arsenal 'nerves' in top-four chase

ARSENE WENGER admitted that it is getting hot at the top after his team strengthened their hold on third place with a seventh win in eight league games.

00:10, Thu, Mar 5, 2015 | UPDATED: 08:16, Thu, Mar 5, 2015

Arsene Wenger at QPR pa

Arsene Wenger was happy with Arsenal's performance at Selhurst Park

Goals from Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez put the Gunners in control at Loftus Road before Charlie Austin pulled a goal back for struggling Rangers.

Wenger said: “It’s hot up there - because everyone won their games.

“We can only focus on our performances and keep going. We have ten games to go, six at home and four away.

“We were nervous in the first half. Rangers put a shift in physically, but they paid for it in the second half. We had to fight but not only fight, also play.”

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It was Sanchez’ first goal in eight games, and Wenger said: “It was good to see Alexis score. When you go seven or eight games it is on your mind even if you say it isn’t. He took his chance well.

“He never gives up. That’s the strength of a good striker. He’s resilient. He missed a chance just before that, and it looked like someone desperate to score. But that he scored form the next chance shows he has the mental strength.”

Rangers are now three points from safety with 11 games left and manager Chris Ramsey said: “We paid the price for not taking our chances. The top teams take them, and that is the difference.

“For all that effort we have ended up with no points and I am sick for the players. Very disappointed.”

Rangers have now lost seven of their last eight games and Ramsey said: “It is imperative that we start to pick up points. These games coming up are now starting to take on the status of cup finals.”