Arsenal vs. West Ham: Arsene Wenger Talks Laurent Koscielny, More in EPL Presser

Laurent Koscielny and Petr Cech will miss Arsenal's match with West Ham United on Wednesday, while manager Arsene Wenger believes supporters are starting to realise that qualifying for the UEFA Champions League every season is "not as easy as it looked." 

James Olley of the Evening Standard relayed the injury news:

Per the Mirror's Hamish Mackay, Wenger added: "Per Mertesacker is available to play. He could be in the squad for tomorrow. Cech is not available tomorrow. Maybe Monday."

On finishing in the top four, he said: "For 20 years I have done it and it looked nothing. Now people realise it is not as easy as it looked. [Manchester City boss Pep] Guardiola said to achieve top four is a trophy."

The Gunners have finished fourth or higher every season since Wenger took charge in 1996.

Per ESPN FC's Mattias Karen and Olley, Wenger is optimistic of doing so again, but the target hasn't been specified by the powers that be at the Emirates Stadium:

Arsenal are seven points behind fourth-placed City and two behind fifth-placed Manchester United, and both the Gunners and the Red Devils have played one game fewer than the Sky Blues.

Per Mackay, the Frenchman called on the Emirates faithful to get behind the team for their run-in: "I tell myself to finish as high as possible. We are fighting to have a positive end of season. That's why you want the fans to stand behind the team. Let's finish as strong as we can. Let's show our mental resilience."

He continued: "We have many games in April, we need everybody on board. We need the support of our fans in games. We play as well in the semi-final of the FA Cup, it's all to go for. It's a good opportunity to show we are united."

The Gunners have 10 Premier League matches remaining this season, and they realistically need to go on a healthy run of wins if they're to finish in the UEFA Champions League places, starting with a win over the Hammers on Wednesday.

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Per Mackay, Wenger commented on their opponent's struggles: "They have struggled at home, moving into the new stadium. They lost [Dimitri] Payet as well during the season. The Premier League is difficult, but they have quality players."

West Ham are winless in six matches—losing the last four—and are now just six points above the relegation zone.

They've also conceded 54 goals this season, better only than Hull City and Swansea City.

Wednesday's match is a must-win for Arsenal and despite the loss of Cech and Koscielny, there will be little excuse if they fail to pick up three points.