Arsene Wenger “Not A Fan” Of Qualifying For The Champions League Through The Europa League

By The Editor
on 11th February 2018

Arsene Wenger still looking to get into the Champions League the ‘traditional’ way…

Time to prioritise the Europa League?

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says he is not planning to follow Man Utd’s lead just yet in the pursuit of Champions League qualification. ? pic.twitter.com/bMMhMvwhK8

— Goal (@goal) February 11, 2018

Arsene Wenger surprised many by stating that he’s not a fan of Europa League winners being awarded a place in the Champions League group stage, even though it’s arguably our most likely chance of qualifying for next season’s tournament.

After losing yet another north London derby, we could find ourselves seven points off the top four if Liverpool take all three points at Southampton.

With a Europa League last-32 tie against Ostersunds around the corner, it should command most of Wenger’s attention given our poor league form.

We’ve only won three away games all season and with five more trips left in the league, a dramatic comeback to claim a top-four spot doesn’t seem likely.

However, with many reporters mentioning the Europa League, Wenger admitted that he doesn’t like the awarding of a Champions League spot for the winner of Europe’s second-tier club competition.

ARVE Error: The [[arve]] shortcode needs one of this attributes av1mp4, mp4, m4v, webm, ogv, url

“It’s a game we couldn’t afford to lose, it makes it much more difficult. But we have to fight as long as we have a mathematical chance,” the boss said after a Harry Kane strike lost us the derby.

“It’s too early (to talk about the Europa League).

“It’s very disappointing because the priority is to be in the Champions League via the top four.

“I’m not a big fan of the Europa League winner getting into the Champions League. It’s not right but, if it is an opportunity, we have to take it.”

It doesn’t really sound promising and I find it rather bizarre that Wenger has publicly ridiculed a ruling that could hugely benefit the football club.

Wenger has long wanted to raise the profile of the Europa League, and one would’ve imagined that he would’ve discussed this at the yearly UEFA Geneva conventions he attends.

Having said that, Wenger’s record in European competitions doesn’t bode well if this remains our only avenue to Europe’s premier club competition.