In the wake of renewed optimism after the victory over Reading, we’ve had a number of quotes from players and staff on Arsenal’s new-found solidity/fluidity/belief/trousers. It’s all rather nice. We’re still in the post-victory glow, and nothing’s really come out to take that away. No doubt some highly depressing story will break during the week to spoil our fun.

I believe in Gervinho

Following his impressive performance at the weekend, Arsene Wenger has been speaking about Gervinho, and more specifically his goalscoring exploits. The Ivorian has seven goals so far this term, and Wenger feels he can score a few more, as long as he relaxes:

“Honestly, he is not a clinical finisher

When he is completely relaxed, he's quite good.

He rushes his finishing because when he arrives in front of the goal he wants to get rid of it.

The big goalscorers just pass it in and that's what he has to learn.

My worry was he played in front of a negative atmosphere here so you always persist to give him confidence again.”

As ever, Arsene has a point. Gervinho is very much a confidence player, and with some of the bile coming out of the fans earlier in the season, it wasn’t exactly conducive to a good run of form for him. Right now, he’s in form and the crowd are a little more forgiving, so let’s hope he chips in a bit more before the season ends.

Snapping at the heels

Meanwhile, in the world of another at-times-maligned striker, Olivier Giroud has been speaking about Arsenal’s top-four chances, and their good form in the face of some less than fantastic displays from rivals Chelsea and Spurs.

“We are putting pressure on Spurs and Chelsea. The Premier League season is until May 19. There’s eight games to play and a lot of points to play for, I trust in our qualities. So I really think we can make fourth and maybe even third place.”

It’s all down to how well Arsenal keep playing, I think. What Giroud’s saying is standard stuff for morale, and presents a united front to the media, which I like to think is there in reality. Arsenal’s run-in is far kinder than Spurs or Chelsea’s, so fourth or third place really isn’t a pipe dream by any means. You can complain about reduced ambitions, but this really isn’t the time.

As it stands, Arsenal are two points off Chelsea, and four points off Spurs, with a game in hand against Everton.

Jovetic has a price tag

The Daily Express have it that reported Arsenal target Stevan Jovetic has had a £30 million price tag slapped on him by Fiorentina, in a bid to deter them, Manchester City, and Juventus.

This story is questionable for a couple of reasons: First, we already know that Fiorentina’s asking price is indeed 30 million, but Euros, not Sterling, and the link to Juventus also takes something away from it. The Italian side are determined not to sell to their rivals, and are far more kindly inclined to either Arsenal or City (no prizes for guessing who my money’s on).

Jovetic would cost a lot, but not quite that much.

Latest: