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Second-spot Arsenal’s to lose after United bear WBA’s Brunt

Gunners can go three points clear in second after Red Devils suffer third consecutive loss

Afp May 03, 2015

In form: Arsenal have won eight of their last nine games, with last week’s draw against Chelsea being the only blip in the run. Photo: AFP

KINGSTON UPON HULL: Arsene Wenger is targeting a strong finish to the campaign to boost Arsenal's Premier League title challenge next season.

Wenger's side travel to face Hull on Monday aiming to strengthen their bid to claim the runners-up spot behind Chelsea.

Following fourth-placed Manchester United's defeat on Saturday, Arsenal, unbeaten in their last nine league games, will take another step towards a top-three finish if they win at the KC Stadium.

And having pin-pointed his side's slow start as the reason they were unable to mount a more sustained title challenge, Wenger is determined things will be different next time around. "That's our challenge, to finish well and take that strength into the next season," said Wenger. "The start of the season is linked with belief as well. We can just strengthen the belief by finishing well.”

The Frenchman added that he is happy with the players he currently has at his disposal. “If you ask me if I am happy with the depth of the squad, I would say yes because I have many international top quality players who are not even in the squad on Saturdays when everyone is available. That has not been the case for many years.”

Hull welcome back top-scorer Nikica Jelavic after the Croatian forward recovered from a knee operation sooner than expected.

West Brom hand United third consecutive defeat

United slumped to a third successive Premier League defeat for the first time in 13 years as Jonas Olsson deflected in West Bromwich Albion's winner in their 1-0 victory at Old Trafford on Saturday.

United's latest lacklustre display means they have now failed to score in three consecutive league games for the first time since August 2007, statistics that hardly support manager Louis van Gaal's claim that his side will challenge for the title next season.

United's defeat leaves them only four points ahead of fifth placed Liverpool with three games left in the race to qualify for the Champions League.

For Albion, their shock victory, achieved despite having only 20 per cent of the possession, took them seven points clear of the relegation zone and should guarantee their survival.

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