Manager Mikel Arteta challenged his Arsenal players to maintain their mindset following the international break after they beat Crystal Palace to go eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.
The Gunners have won six consecutive league games as they aim to become champions for the first time since 2003-04.
They have 10 matches left, including clashes with Liverpool, second-placed Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle. Their next game is against Leeds at home on 1 April.
“We can control our games. We have won six games in a row in the league, which is great,” said Arteta.
“It feels very good, especially with the way we have played and the results we have picked up.
“Now we must stop and make sure everyone comes back from the internationals with the same mindset. We have Leeds next and we put the focus there.”
Arsenal have 69 points from 28 matches, with second-placed Manchester City, whoย beat Burnley 6-0 in the FA Cup quarter-finalsย on Saturday, on 61 points having played a game less.
The Gunners went ahead at Emirates Stadium through Gabriel Martinelli’s left-footed strike – his sixth goal in six league matches.
Bukayo Saka doubled the lead when he collected Ben White’s pass and curled an effort past 19-year-old goalkeeper Joe Whitworth.
Granit Xhaka made it 3-0 with a first-time finish from Leandro Trossard’s assist, before Jeffrey Schlupp pulled one back from close range following a corner for Palace’s first goal in five matches
But the excellent Saka restored Arsenal’s three-goal advantage with a guided finish from Kiernan Tierney’s pull-back to seal the victory.
Palaceย sacked manager Patrick Vieiraย on Friday and have now not won in 13 games in all competitions and are only three points above the relegation zone.
