Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has cast doubts over the Gunners chances of a top four finish in the Premier League this season and he hopes to lead the team to Europa League triumph to qualify for the Champions League next season.
“It’s one of the ways,” Arteta told a press conference on the Europa League being one to the ways to qualify for the Champions League.
“There’s still a lot of games to play in the Premier League too but obviously, we are very excited with this competition. We’ve been on a really strong run this season in the Europa League and tomorrow we have a good opportunity to make another step [forward].”
Arsenal were Europa League finalists in 2019 where they lost to London neighbors Chelsea and were eliminated in the round of 16 by Olympiacos with a last minute goal last season.
“Victory is always in the back of my mind. Why were are here is to win trophies for this club and this is a competition that we want to be linked to as well because we are participating,” he said.
“The Champions League has been massive for this club but at the moment we are not in it. The best way to get back to that is by winning this competition.”
Arsenal finished last season outside of European places but qualified for the Europa League by winning the FA Cup. They are out of the FA Cup and would hope the Europa League victory would be their wildcard to the Champions League next season if they finish outside of the top four.
Arsenal are currently 10th on the EPL table, eight points behind fourth placed Chelsea and face Benfica in the Europa League round of 32 with both games coming in neutral venues of Rome, Italy and Athens, Greece due to coronavirus travel restrictions.