By Joe Doyle
Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain believes the late comeback against Norwich will give the team “a massive confidence boost” in the race for Champions League football next season.
The Gunners were trailing the Canaries 1-0 with just five minutes to go at Emirates Stadium, but ended the game 3-1 up after a penalty from Mikel Arteta, a Sebastien Bassong own goal and Lukas Podolski’s strike.
The 19-year-old admitted that at times this season the Gunners have found it tough, but says the win will help them to focus ahead of an important game against Everton on Tuesday.
“[The comeback] typifies us at the moment,” he told reporters. “We really have built that team spirit, solidarity and winning mentality. We never give up until it’s over.
“To come back from a goal down in the last few minutes is brilliant and it gives us a massive boost, massive confidence and a massive three points looking forward to the end of the season.
“It will be another tough game against Everton on Tuesday. We’ve had a few games like that. The games where we went down to 10 men, Sunderland away then West Brom last week and you start thinking, ‘what if?’
“But the boys pulled through and that helps you with confidence for the future and for games like this when you get into those positions where you could think it’s over. But it’s then that you keep going, never give up and we did that.
“It’s nice to be third, but you can’t get caught up looking around at other teams in the table. You have to concentrate on yourselves and on the next match because it can all change very quickly.
“We have to focus on each game as it comes and Everton is another big one for us.
“That helps us to know that we did managed to squeeze in last season for the Champions League in the way we did. That’s what it does for a squad.
“Previous experiences can help you and contribute in the way you feel in the season afterwards. The fact that we did it last season definitely helps our confidence to do it again this season.”
The Gunners sit one point above both London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham, though the Blues hold a game in hand after featuring in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.
