Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says history gives his side belief they can finish in the top four in the Premier League.
The Gunners registered an important away from home win on Sunday against West Ham United after shrugging off early pressure from the Hammers and moved to just three points from third-placed Manchester United.
They will now face Southampton on the first day of the new year in another crucial game in their quest to finish again in the top places of the league.
"We deserved to win the game," Wenger said.
"It was a typical committed, direct game where we needed to be solid in the air, take our chances on the break.
"Unfortunately when they came back to 2-1, we had five or six chances on counter-attacks that we couldn't take, but overall everybody did the job very well, from the 'keeper to up front.
"I have always had that belief but it's far from done [finishing in the top four]. We just want to win the next game and be consistent in our performances.
"We were just caught by Liverpool in the last minute and today we won away from home. If you look at our recent results, we look to be more stable.
"We have a big game in front of us now against Southampton with nobody coming back. The players who played today have given their all and now we need to recover and prepare for the Southampton game.
"We have done it for 17 years, so we are entitled to the belief that we can do it. It's all to do because when you look at the league everyone is fighting very hard for it. Southampton, Tottenham, Manchester United, so many teams who can fight for these positions."
Asked if Lukas Podolski will leave during the January transfer window, the Frenchman said: "At the moment nobody goes out. We have Ozil coming back now at the beginning of January, so of course there is a lot of competition up front."
