West Ham United's Dimitri Payet eyeing top-five finish

Dimitri Payet celebrates scoring during the FA Cup game between Manchester United and West Ham United on March 13, 2016
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West Ham United attacker Dimitri Payet claims that it is 'vital' that his team secure a top-five finish in the Premier League table this season.

West Ham United attacker Dimitri Payet has claimed that finishing in the top five in the Premier League would represent "a great season" for the capital outfit.

As it stands, the Hammers sit sixth in the Premier League table on 51 points - two points behind fifth-placed Manchester United and three points behind fourth-placed Manchester City.

Slaven Bilic's side will welcome Arsenal to Upton Park in the league on Saturday, and Payet has revealed that his team are desperate to return to winning ways after drawing 2-2 with Crystal Palace last weekend.

"We know it will be another tough game. Arsenal have a small hope of winning the title and they want to keep as close as they can to Leicester and Tottenham and also the Champions League positions," Payet told West Ham's official website.

"We are home and want to get the win. We are coming off a tough game against Crystal Palace, but we will prepare hard ahead of the match. It will be very tough but finishing in the top five will be a great season for us. That would guarantee European football next season which would be very important for the club as they continue to develop.

"Playing in Europe is important for clubs looking to progress. If you look at other clubs who have done that, you can see how far they come now. It is something that we want to do and become even bigger."

Payet, 29, who joined West Ham from Marseille last summer, has scored 12 times in 31 appearances for his English club this season.

 Slaven Bilic looks on prior to the Premier League match between Norwich City and West Ham United on February 13, 2016
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