Arsenal legend Charlie Nicholas remains hopeful his former club can finish in the top-four.

The Gunners have won four straight after losing to Manchester City and Chelsea in the opening two games.

"At the moment I am pleased with the response from the first two defeats, everybody can see we have a real problem trying to adjust to the new manager's policy defensively," the Soccer Saturday pundit told Sky Sports.

"There is still that confusion between defence and attack that takes too long to get going. Saying that, Sunday's win over Everton was a first clean sheet, a confidence builder.

He added: "My prediction at the start of the season was that Arsenal and Chelsea were going to be the two to miss out because there was too much toing and froing.

"I think that gap has closed for them because Man United are average and Spurs are struggling a little bit.

"I don't think they are good enough because defensively it is telling me the honest answer is no [they are not], but they are improving and the good news for me is - what I have said from day one - that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette can play in the same team because Aubameyang is not a natural number nine.

"That is why it works better and they are starting to score a few goals and I am grateful for that. Until Arsenal adjust to this defensive set up - and let's be honest at the weekend Petr Cech was man of the match, which tells you all you need to know - as it stands I am not expecting them to make the top four.

"If the improvement gradually carries on, I don't see Chelsea or Man United being so much better, and I am a little bit more hopeful than I was at the start of the season."