Slaven Bilic insists West Ham can finish in the top four

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic is confident his side can finish in a Champions League qualifying position this season.

The Hammers occupy sixth position in the Premier League, just three points behind Manchester City in fourth.

West Ham host Arsenal on Saturday at Upton Park with their opponents still in the hunt for the title and while Bilic expects the Gunners to provide a stern test, he believes the emphasis is on West Ham to attack.

"We are playing at home and make no mistake, we are going to do everything to win the game and stay in the race," Bilic said.

"And to stay high in the table, that's our aim. We know it's going to be hard, of course it's going to be hard, it is Arsenal.

"But we have almost a full squad back, they are fresh, we are looking good, and as I said we are full of respect for the Gunners. They deserve it, they are Arsenal and at the end of the day they are above us in the table.

"But again, we play at home and we are confident "

West Ham won 2-0 in the corresponding fixture against their London rivals in August with goals from Cheikhou Kouyate and Mauro Zarate.

And while Bilic is upbeat on West Ham's chances of securing another win over Arsenal, he is adamant his side will have to work hard to get anything from the match as their opponents have beaten Everton 2-0 and Watford 4-0 in their last two games.

Bilic added: "It's about our form and our position in the table that makes us confident. That game was ages ago. But it's nice to know, in the back of your mind, that we played them and beat them 2-0. But it doesn't have much to do with this game.

"The last few games they played with pace and skill and they are very lethal, especially in the last two games against Everton and Watford. They're in good form.

"It is a London derby. It's a big game. The season is approaching the end and it's very important for them and for us. We are both fighting for a place in Europe, or from their point of view to be champions. They have a chance on paper but they have to win all their remaining games. It's a big game.

"We need three points too if we want to stay in the race for top-four or five. It should be a great game of football.

"The games are vital. We have a great but tough week against Arsenal and then a replay against Manchester United, then Leicester on Sunday. We are only thinking about Arsenal now, then we have three days to recover for Manchester United. We are not putting the league or cup in-front of the other. We are going to put out the best team we can."