Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said that he is extremely happy that the duo of Laurent Koscielny and Aaron Ramsey have been receiving a lot of praise from Arsenal fans in recent weeks. Arsenal have been one of the inform teams in the division over the last few months. As a result, they have been able to put forward a challenge for the top four positions when it seemed that they were in danger of finishing outside the top four in the first time in 16 seasons. It would have put the club’s future in jeopardy due to the importance of Champions League revenue.

The future of defender Thomas Vermaelen could have easily jeopardised Arsenal’s challenge for a top four spot, but the impressive form of defender Laurent Koscielny has helped them keep several clean sheets in the last few weeks. Koscielny has managed to form an impressive partnership with German international Per Mertesacker. Further, Aaron Ramsey has also been very influential for Arsenal in the absence of Jack Wilshere, who has suffered several recurrence of injury problems in recent weeks.

Arsenal are unbeaten in the last eight league matches, which has put them in a great position to finish in the top four. There are only a few matches left the season.

“Koscielny at the start of the season was not a regular player. Ramsey for a while was not in the team. If you keep going, if you have that stamina and persistence in your attitude, at some stage you will be rewarded. Certainly their outstanding performances have been noticed but as well the quality of their spirit has been rewarded by our fans,” said Arsene Wenger. Ramsey, who has had a lot of stick due to his poor performances, recently managed to win the club’s player of the month award for April.