Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is desperate for his team to continue their charge to second place in the Premier League, and register the club's highest finish since the 2004-05 season.
Wenger's team all but confirmed their qualification for next season's Champions League by winning 3-1 at Hull City on Monday, but the Frenchman wants his team's rich form to last the season.
"For me it makes a difference," he said of finishing second. "We want to finish as high as we can. That's a competitive attitude. We secured only top four. Let's see if we can maintain the run.
"We set ourselves a target to continue to make progress as a team and this was a demonstration that we can improve and keep the quality high," he said after an excellent attacking display at the KC Stadium. "We played the football we love to play for long periods in the game."
Alexis Sanchez's goal for Arsenal's third, the Chilean's second of the night was the Gunners' 100th in all competitions this season.
"It shows we are an offensive team who likes to win going forward," said Wenger. "It's most important that we have made progress from the start of the season and people look at us in a different way to what they did in September. We are consistent and passed a few tests in a positive way. It's important to keep the attitude in the side and improve."
Jack Wilshere made an impressive return after arriving as a second-half substitute, making a couple of solo runs, his first appearance since November, and was praised by his manager.
"He's full of energy and is back," said Wenger of Wilshere. "That's positive of course. I was not surprised. I brought him on at 3-1.
"If I had doubt I would not have brought him on. I said on Friday it was first week he's found his acceleration, his burst back. He has to be patient he has been out for five and half months."
Wenger also handed credit to champions Chelsea for holding off his team's challenge.
"We gave everything to come back," said the Frenchman. "There were a few turning points. The first was not starting well the season. Sometimes when you go for the title and you win these games.
"Chelsea at QPR when they didn't drop points," he said, pinpointing Jose Mourinho's team's late 1-0 win at Loftus Road on April 12. "They were very consistent. They lost only two games."
Wenger tried his best not to be drawn on his prospects for next season. "Ask me in August," he said. "Give me a breather. What is at stake now is to finish second. If we maintain our run we will and then the FA Cup final."
