Granit Xhaka believes Arsenal face a “key week” in their bid to qualify for the Champions League as they prepare to take on Liverpool and Aston Villa in the space of four days.
Arsenal are currently in the driving seat to finish in the Premier League’s top four after winning their fifth game in a row by beating Leicester on Sunday.
Thomas Partey opened the scoring in the first-half with a header and Alexandre Lacazette wrapped up the victory with a penalty just before the hour mark.
Arsenal are now sat fourth in the League, one point ahead of Manchester United in fifth but with three games in hand.
Next up the Gunners hosts Liverpool on Wednesday before travelling to Aston Villa on Saturday, and Xhaka believes they are huge games ahead of the final international break of the season.
“Of course we are seeing the other results. But we are winning, that’s now five in a row, and we now have a big game on Wednesday against Liverpool,” he said.
“We knew this would be a key week for us before the international break. And let’s see on Wednesday, we have to maybe perform better than today.
“We know the quality they (Liverpool) have. They are one of the best teams in the Premier League, maybe in Europe. We have to be focused over the 90 minutes.
“We have to finish the chances to score as quick as possible, but as well we have to be very compact. In the end, on Wednesday, I believe the small details will be the difference.”
Arsenal were worthy winners against Leicester and Xhaka was particularly pleased that his team-mate, Lacazette, got his first goal since Boxing Day.
“In the end, people want him to score. People only see if players score. But people sometimes don’t see how important he is for us, not only on the pitch but as well off the pitch,” Xhaka said.
“On the pitch, he is an amazing player and he understands the game so good with the quality he has.
“I hope now after this three, four, five, six weeks they (people) understand how important he is for us.
“I think the second [goal] helped us a lot. We wanted to finish the game as quick as possible and in the end I think we deserved the three points today.
“It was a good performance from the team and another three points. We have to keep going like this. Let’s see what happens at the end of the season.”
