Mikel Arteta sends top four warning to Manchester United after Arsenal defeat Chelsea

Mikel Arteta has warned Arsenal's competitors for a top four spot that his side will continue to get better and better following Wednesday night's win over Chelsea.

Arsenal responded to three consecutive defeats to Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton in some style as they travelled to Stamford Bridge and came away victorious in a thrilling 4-2 win. It was a rollercoaster of a game that saw Arsenal twice pegged back after taking the lead, before finally breaking clear of their London rivals in the second half.

The result throws yet another curveball in the race to finish in the final Champions League place, a race that all its participants don't seem to actually want to win — and is getting worrying for Manchester United. Ralf Rangnick's team moved within three points of fourth last weekend but a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday means they couldn't seize on their opening and draw level on points with Tottenham.

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Instead, they have slipped back down to sixth behind the Gunners and Spurs who are both on 57 points, each with a game in hand on United. Their fixtures don't get any easier, either, with United facing Arsenal and Chelsea next, games that could finally determine who takes fourth spot.

Ahead of United's trip to the Emirates on Saturday, Arteta has praised his squad and warned that they're still improving.

"What I love is the spirit of these players," he told Sky Sports after the match. "When you lose matches you get punished and criticised.

"But for these players, I don't care because it's so worth it. They are phenomenal people and as a group they are really growing and they're really enjoying to