Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been feeling the pressure in the race for a Champions League place but a 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion on Thursday got his team back up to third spot.

Having blown leads in back-to-back Premier League games to put a top-four finish at risk, the Frenchman said it had been important to score early on the way to a comfortable victory.

Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez put Arsenal ahead after six minutes with a low drive from the edge of the area after a sharp turn, and doubled the lead with a free-kick before halftime.

The win took them to 63 points, two above Manchester City, and into the final automatic Champions League qualifying spot.

“We’re under permanent pressure for every single game, so it is important to have the lead early and focus on the way we want to play football,” Wenger said.

“You want always to score early goals but in the Premier League... it is difficult for everybody. There are top, top teams who are behind us.”

Wenger was relieved to the win after draws against West Ham United and Crystal Palace in the last two games saw Arsenal out of title contention and imperil a top-four finish.

“The regret we have is being in the lead against West Ham and being in the lead against Crystal Palace, and not to make the (three) points,” he said.

*Reuters