Arsenal’s 17-game unbeaten run suggests Unai Emery is doing something right at the Emirates but Sokratis is refusing to let his teammates rest on their laurels.
Having sat out six consecutive Premier League games the centre-back made a winning return to the first team on Sunday as part of a three-man defence that did just enough to protect a 2-1 lead against Bournemouth.
After the game, the 30-year-old was quick to turn his attention to the busy schedule ahead.
“We have confidence [we can get into the top four] but it is not easy,” he told Arsenal.com.
“Next week [against Spurs] is very important, it is good that we didn’t lose points because we go full of confidence and we will see.
“Of course we need to improve, of course we would like to put Arsenal in the top teams in the Premier League – we try every day for this.
“It will be difficult against Tottenham. You have a lot of games, everything gets changed – a lot of players. It is difficult but what can I say? For now we are not bad, we are good.
“It will be a very important game – but I don’t think it is a game that can give you the Champions League. For example, if we win against Tottenham and lose some other games, it is the same thing.
“For me, it is very important that in every game we look different, we go for the win in every game and in the end we will see how it is going. But of course Tottenham is a very important game.”
The Greece international also insists that the Gunners, who are currently one point behind fourth-place Chelsea, have not yet hit top stride this season and must keep improving if they are to secure a place in next season’s Champions League.
“We are around 70-80 per cent [of our potential],” added the Greek.
“We need to improve sometimes to not lose the ball or when we have the ball to finish the action and score.
“That is the difference, we need to improve and we know this. We work every day and I am happy that I am part of a team that works very good together.”
A win against Spurs next weekend would draw Arenal level with their North London neighbors.