The Hammers face five of the Barclays Premiership's top seven teams in a tough run-in starting tomorrow against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

But Alan Curbishley's men head to north London in positive mood after dragging themselves back to within five points of safety with successive victories over Blackburn and Middlesbrough.

Ferdinand said: "Arsenal have players that play in big games so it's going to be a very hard game but hopefully we'll be the first team to beat them at the Emirates Stadium.

"It's either sink or swim now and we have to make sure we keep swimming.

"We've given ourselves a chance and we've been showing the spirit that we should have showed earlier on in the season. It's better late than never and it's time to start kicking on."

West Ham cannot afford to prioritise fixtures now.

Curbishley insists the Arsenal trip is every bit as important as next weekend's clash with fellow relegation battlers Sheffield United.

"We need to win the majority of our last seven games so I see Arsenal as another game and we have to just go for it," said Curbishley.

"A lot of the newly-promoted sides look at the top four as bonus games. West Ham are not in that position. We need to beat Arsenal.

"When you get into the run-in I don't think it matters if you are playing the top sides. They are looking to go for the three points as well because they are pushing for Europe.

"In all our remaining games it is 'game on'.

"And why can't we go and get a result at Arsenal? Our fans will go there expecting us to do something and we have got to go there and try to do something.

"We need to make a good start. It gets the confidence going.

"You can't underestimate what a lead can do for you. That's what we've managed to do in the last couple of games and it gives you something to hold onto."

West Ham look like being without defender Matthew Upson for most of the rest of the season after he aggravated a calf injury in training.

Upson was injured on his debut against Aston Villa and again on his comeback back in the 4-3 defeat to Tottenham.

He has only played 31 minutes since joining in January and West Ham are now anxious not to rush him back too soon.

"The biggest concern is that he gets it right, so when he comes back he does not break down. That would look terrible and his season would be over," said Curbishley.

"We are taking a little more time on it now. It is so frustrating for everyone.

"The glimpses he showed us at Villa Park and against Spurs shows us what a good player we have."