Arsenal boss Unai Emery has declared defeat to Chelsea today will end their top four hopes.

The Gunners are six points and one position ­behind fourth-placed Chelsea after last week's 1-0 loss away to West Ham , their third defeat in six league outings.

New boss Emery believes a nine-point gap with 15 games to go would be too wide for his men to bridge in his first season as Arsene Wenger's successor.

Emery said: “Would nine points be too much of a gap? I think, yes. We had a big challenge against West Ham. We spoke about playing under pressure, which we have to do if we are to be competitive.

"After that defeat, it is a big gap to be six points behind Chelsea instead of three points behind. But if we win this match, we have the opportunity to be closer to them.

“This is a big opportunity. We have to give it everything we can."