Arsene Wenger: Europa League Will Become A Priority If We Reach The Quarter-Finals

By The Editor
on 24th November 2017

Arsene Wenger not prepared to put his eggs in one basket just yet…

Wenger admits he won't prioritize the @EuropaLeague until it becomes @Arsenal's best chance of @ChampionsLeague qualification. #beINUEL #AFC pic.twitter.com/qYiWRsHKMx

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) November 23, 2017

Arsene Wenger hinted that the Europa League will only become a priority once we reach the last eight of the competition and have a serious chance of lifting the trophy.

Following Manchester United’s triumph last season which granted them qualification to this year’s Champions League group stages despite finishing sixth in the league, many wondered if the Europa League avenue was our best chance of reclaiming a seat at Europe’s top table.

However, for Wenger, the Premier League remains a priority and he intends on using his fringe players in this competition until the latter stages.

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Asked when the Europa League starts to become a priority for Arsenal, Wenger replied: “When you know that’s the best way to win a competition and when you know that’s the best way to qualify for the Champions League.

“Now I think we will get out of the group stage, so after we’ll have to qualify for the last-16, then after that you have to consider, maybe, let’s go step-by-step.

“I take the competition seriously, but in the group stage you can play with the fact that you can integrate some young players.”

Wenger has done exactly that. For the first time in a long time, it seems we have a batch of top-class talent coming through the ranks and the Europa League has given them the platform to showcase their talent.

Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Joe Willock look like they’ll make a career at Arsenal, and hopefully, this Europa League tournament will give them a springboard.