Arsene Wenger expecting top-four finish after his injured players get back

Arsene Wenger, manager of Arsenal gives instructions during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal

Arsene Wenger has claimed that Arsenal will come back strongly in the second half of the season as they seek to get their injured players back to playing ways in the new year. The Arsenal manager is awaiting the return of Mesut Ozil and Mikel Arteta in January. Meanwhile, midfielders Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and defender Laurent Koscielny are expected to be back soon to strengthen the team in their pursuit of a top-four finish in the Premier League.

We will have a stronger squad after the injured players are back: Wenger

The Gunners are scheduled to play QPR, West Ham United and Southampton after Christmas and the Frenchman expects his team, which is currently sixth in the table, to be back to winning ways and reach its full potential.

It is reported by Eurosport that when asked about what his expectations are of his team ahead of the festive time, the 65-year-old manager replied: "To give absolutely everything in every single game until the end of the season.

"I believe that with the injuries coming back we will have a much stronger squad than we had for the past two months. I believe 2015 can be very exciting if we manage to get our injured players back and have a good run.”

He added, "Finishing in the top four is always the minimum required here. We have the Champions League and we have the FA Cup and we want to come back in a much stronger position in the Premier League, and I think we will.

"Our Christmas is not an easy schedule - it's a tough schedule. There are three games in a very short period of time and we can make up points.

"It's a period where you have an opportunity to make points. Our opponents will think that as well, but let's just put the performances in and capitalise on it."

Arsenal is scheduled to play QPR on Boxing Day.