Mikel Arteta is convinced his Arsenal side are adapting to a new football philosophy quicker than he expected.
The Gunners have shown signs of improvement since Arteta started his reign as boss at the Emirates in December, with the Spaniard seeing just one defeat out of nine games, although only three have been wins.
"Progress has been quicker than I expected," he told reporters.
"I've found out things I didn't know when I joined and have had to address. We haven't won [many] games but I have a clear picture of why not. There are many factors to that.
"We've got to start winning quickly. The next two or three weeks will dictate where we are in the last four or five weeks to challenge for Europe.”
With Arsenal sitting in 10th spot in the Premier League table ahead of their next game against Newcastle United on Sunday, Arteta is hoping his Gunners climb up the league table.
He said: "We agreed on some targets, we've started to work on them, and hopefully you'll start to see the outcome in the next few weeks.
"The players know how crucial the next three or four weeks will be for aims until the end of the season."
Arsenal have only been able to secure just six wins in 25 Premier League matches this season, and they are 10 points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea.