‘We cannot afford to drop too far behind’

DENNIS BERGKAMP warned that Arsenal cannot afford to drop too far behind Chelsea in their transitional season as he set his sights on securing Champions League qualification in his final campaign.

Bergkamp, who retires this summer, believes in the rich potential of the youngsters at Arsenal, but accepts they must sink or swim over the coming months as the Gunners look to move back into the top four.

He declared: “Of course, for everyone at Arsenal, you want to make something special of this last season for the club at Highbury. It’s important for us.