Granit Xhaka says it’s time for Arsenal to end their long wait for a European trophy.
Since George Graham’s side won the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994, the Gunners have lost in the final of both the UEFA Cup and Champions League.
Wednesday’s Europa League final with Chelsea represents a prime opportunity to claim a major European honour and, following our 5th placed finish in the Premier League, a final chance to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
“It’s time to take a trophy,” Xhaka said, ahead of the final in Baku. “Arsenal, 25 years — we want to do everything to take a trophy back to the club, for the fans, for us.”
The Swiss international added, “We have to be in the Champions League. We haven’t played there for two years and we have to be there next season.
“All the players, the fans, the club — we want to play against the best teams, and the best teams are in the Champions League. We want to be back there.”
Xhaka also shed light on how Unai Emery is leaning on his fantastic record in the competition – the Spaniard has won the Europa League three times with Sevilla – to inspire his players.
“We don’t speak about it [his record] to each other but he speaks with us about his own experience and how he won the trophy three times,” said the midfielder.
“It’s a lot. I think he would be the first coach if wins a fourth so it’s nice if you are alone at the top, yeah.
He added: “If you are three times in the final in the Europa League you have a lot of experience, know how you feeling, how is the pressure and I think anything else stays within our group. But he takes away the pressure but if you are in a final there is always pressure.”
I’m quietly positive but the players have been talking too much and I’m quite agitated….. Kinda scared! Does that make me a pussy? ?
We have a better team. We have a better tactical manager. We have more history, more fans and more class.
All these things mean we probably lose.
Don’t give away a penalty!!!
Sound advice
I’m not over his plunder vs Brighton yet. That and the Zaha goal and the spud penalty.
I´m suprised nobody´s mentioned that this game is simply more important for Arsenal than Chelsea. They won the EL a few years ago and they are already in the Champions league next season anyway. Sarri obviously wants his first trophy but win or lose, I´m not sure Chelsea as a club will be that bothered. Their embrassingly low ticket sales are a testament to that. For Arsenal on the other hand, it is truly make or break.
Our ticket sales are embarassing as well…and i cant find a reason for a club to be not bothered about a finale of an european trophy !
We are taking twice as many fans as Chelsea..
And that’s the more reason they’d want to spoil the party
Yeah man, he has been catastrophically clumsy at times this season but he has been good in big games – he loses focus in games against shit teams.
Also better than Jorginho…
I remember our FA cup final against Hull city which would end our trophy drought of about 10 years, the team were so nervous at the start that we were 2-0 down in 1st 13 minutes at wrmbley. I pray we don’t allow that to repeat itself. I trust you Emery and I trust you the players go and bring us that trophy because we deserve it more than they do. COYG
I remember our final vs Birmingham, and … yeah.
Please don’t talk
Anyone would think these guys have some sort of commitment to face the media and answer questions.
You do realise how interviews work right? Bloke asks you a question and you answer. Hard to do that without talking, especially as media duties are compulsory in the build up to a game like this!
Good Lord! Arsenal loves to talk the talk.
A lot of strong motivations – CL football next season, Cech’s final match, Emery’s EL winning record, Mkhit’s forced absence, beating the Blue scummers…(there must be more…)
Let’s hope they are super-motivated on the day and win.
Welbz final match (possibly Kos as well) and Ramsey to lift a trophy with us one last time…(I’m probably missing some as well)
The Liverpool, Spuds match should another incentive. It’s bad enough Liverpool overtaking us but there is daylight between us and Spuds… God forbid those (other) pricks lift a European trophy and we don’t. I for one will likely die of banter, I’m not cut out to head to the hills and like in a unabomber shack and can’t afford a nice island with no connection to the outside world.
Hahahaha@Papa Large…
The one big factor the other way: probably Hazard’s last match for them, and he keeps saying he wants to leave with a trophy.
we also lost the 1995 European cup winners cup final in case anyone had that heartbreaking night deleted from their mind palace!
I completely had forgotten but now you have reminded me of Nayim from the halfway line ?
Put your money where your mouth is.
I hope our midfield perform.
Granit has been much improved this season and his capability with long ball (switching point of attack for us quickly) is the reason he starts ahead of Torreira and Guendouzi.
Xhakalakaboomboom! Arizabalaga is in trouble.
Just don’t be xhaka tomorrow. We had enough brainfart from you during the season. Just comport yourself please
This aged well.