Arsene Wenger says Arsenal will qualify for the Champions League

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes they will qualify for the Champions League but says there is no more room for mistakes.

The Gunners dropped to fourth in the Premier League table after drawing 1-1 with champions Manchester United.

They are now two points ahead of Spurs in fourth place but their north London rivals have a game in hand.

"There is no room for dropping points, but the other teams are in the same position," Wenger said.

Former Gunners striker Robin van Persie scored from the spot on his return to his former club to earn United a 1-1 draw after Theo Walcott had given Arsenal an early lead on Sunday.

Arsenal had started the day third in the table but were overtaken by Chelsea, who beat Swansea City 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.

But Wenger added: "I am convinced we will be there in the top four."

Arsenal formed a guard of honour for Van Persie and his team-mates before kick-off after United secured their 20th title on Monday night.

However, Wenger does not believe it contributed to the flying start that brought Walcott's goal.

"If that would help us we would do it every week," Wenger said. "It was the preparation more than the guard of honour that contributed to that."

Arsenal fans gave Van Persie a rough ride, despite Wenger's call for him to be treated with respect.

"When he was here he didn't get that kind of reception," the Frenchman added. "They loved him - today it was a bit of disappointed love."

Wenger light-heartedly downplayed Van Persie's goal, saying: "He scored a penalty but it is not completely the same as scoring.

"When you buy a goalscorer you always look at how many he scores from penalties and how many he scores from open play.

"He takes penalties very well and when he decided to take the penalty I knew there was an 80% chance he would score.

"Robin van Persie does a lot of things very well.

"He didn't celebrate. This is another way of behaving for football players in England but I wouldn't be shocked if a guy celebrated because internally he is happy anyway."

Wenger revealed Van Persie joined his former team-mates in Arsenal's dressing room after the final whistle, joking: "The food is better in our dressing room.

"There is respect. You can give everything during the 90 minutes but you can still talk to each other afterwards."

Bacary Sagna was at fault for United's equaliser, giving the ball away to Van Persie before bringing his former team-mate down in the area.

Wenger said: "He's very disappointed. He's a boy who gives absolutely everything in every game.

"He made a bad pass, that happens, but maybe after that he panicked a little bit and wanted to repair the damage too quickly.

"He had time to tackle, but he has saved us so many times."