It is surprising to see a club like Arsenal play in the Europa League. The 13-time English champions are usually participants in the Champions League, but are now in the Europa League by virtue of finishing 5th in the Premier League last term.
It was the first time The Gunners had failed to qualify for Europe’s elite competition under manager Arsene Wenger but it could be a blessing in disguise.
Though the legendary Frenchman fielded younger players and the others that don’t play regularly in the earlier stages of the competition, now is the time to focus on winning the competition.
While the likes of Napoli, Atletico Madrid, Lyon, Marseille and AC Milan are still in the running, Arsenal on a good day can stand up to any of the these teams. Here are 3 reasons why the Europa League can make a success of Arsenal’s season.
Sign Wenger out in style
After winning the FA Cup last season in a victory over Chelsea that was more of an upset, many felt Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger should have left at that point. There had been question marks about his future as his contract expired at the end of that season.
He promptly signed a new 2-year contract at The Emirates, but he has come under increased pressure given that they are facing a huge fight to even qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Wenger needs to leave on a grand occasion, and there are no better ways to leave than after winning the Europa League. Firstly, it would give him the European trophy he has always craved. He has lost 2 European finals in painful circumstances. The 2000 UEFA Cup loss to Galatasaray and the 2006 Champions League to Barcelona.
Get a way back into the Champions League
With Arsenal looking more likely to miss out on the top 4, winning the Europa League offers a fantastic chance of getting back to the Champions League. Winning the Europa League automatically translates to a place in next season’s Champions League group stages.
Just like the way Manchester United did last season, Arsenal must channel all their energies on the lesser competition.
United finished 6th in the Premier League last season but won the Europa League after Mourinho decided that chasing a Champions League spot through a final league position could be an exercise in futility.
A springboard for further success
Winning the Europa League means Arsenal can fight for the European Super Cup against the Champions League winners.
It also means more revenue that could be used to sign better players that could help them challenge for the major trophies on offer.
It could also prove to current Arsenal players that they can actually win major trophies at Arsenal without looking at moving to other clubs.
The Europa League could be a win-win for Arsenal and they must focus on winning it. It would do them a lot of good.
Arsenal face Danish outfit, Ostersunds this Thursday in the first leg of the Round of 32.
No comments:
Post a Comment