Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno has stated that the Gunners are "not ruling out the Champions League places" ahead of their return to Premier League action.
Mikel Arteta's team are currently ninth in the table but they can shoot up a couple of positions if they win their game in hand at Man City.
Chelsea are in the driving seat for the final place in Europe's top competition as it stands as they have a three-point cushion over Manchester United, yet there could be a lot of change over the coming weeks as football gets up and running again after a three-month layoff.
What could help the Gunners out is Man City missing out on a place in next season's Champions League if they don't succeed in their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Pep Guardiola's team are contesting a big fine and their two-year ban from European competition for 'serious breaches' of Financial Fair Play regulations.
Claiming that his side are going to have to go "full throttle" next Wednesday at the Etihad Stadium, Leno is optimistic about the rest of the season as the team look to cause a shock in the fight for a European spot.
"It’s a great way to start because we have to go full throttle right from the off – they’re an absolutely top team," said the goalkeeper when speaking to DFB.
"It’ll be strange to play again after such a long time out and with such little time to prepare, but I’m optimistic about the rest of the season.
"I hope we can get into Europe. We’re not ruling out the Champions League places because we might get it with just fifth place, given Man City’s possible ban.
"We were in decent form before the break, I just hope we can get back to that when we return and end up in a European spot."
