Tottenham boss Antonio Conte does not think he will have failed if the club finishes out of the top four in the Premier League.

The Italian took over with the season already underway, after Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked.

Conte was asked if it was top four or bust, with the Italian defending his team's displays and results since his arrival.

"Personally, in my mind, when I decided to be in charge with Tottenham, I knew very well at the time the situation in front of me," said Conte to reporters ahead of their vital Premier League clash against Arsenal on Thursday.

"The team was maybe ninth in the table, only 15 points and but in these 15 points, nine in the first three games and then six in the next seven games.

"I knew very well the situation wasn't good and only a crazy person could imagine that with two games to go we'd be in the race for a place in the Champions League. The club didn't ask me to go for a place in the Champions League or Europa League. They appointed me to try to improve the situation.

"Now we have to be proud that after a difficult season in many aspects for the club, we're in this race. In my opinion, in my mind, it's always a failure when I don't win, because I'm used to fighting for something important, to have a chance, yes to have a chance to compete with other teams to win trophies and titles.

"But when I arrived in Tottenham, I was sure it was very very difficult the situation. I tried to improve, not tried, I worked, I worked very hard with my staff and my players to improve the team and to create something, to create a base and I think that we did this."