Arsene Wenger says he’ll field a side that can finish the job against Ostersund tomorrow night and insists his players won’t be complacent despite being 3-0 up from the first-leg.
The Frenchman also insists that while the Europa League represents an important opportunity to qualify for the Champions League, that doesn’t mean Arsenal are giving up on finishing in the Premier League’s top four.
“I always try to find a team who can win the next game, I’ll build a team that has a good opportunity to win the game for us,” he told press on Wednesday afternoon.
“We play at home in front of our fans, there’s still a lot at stake, this competition is important for us. What is absolutely vital is that we go into the game with a good focus to win it.”
He went on to admit: “A big part is done, but to be professional is to finish the job. It’s a good opportunity to show maturity, to show respect and love as well for the game we want to play. That’s why I believe it’s important to win the game tomorrow.
“It [the Europa League] is one of the priorities we have, but there’s a long way to go. We have first to qualify tomorrow and after that to see who we get if get through. We will focus to do well. Ideally, we want to come back to the Champions League through the Premier League.”
Asked whether he’d start following Jose Mourinho’s lead by now prioritising the Europa League – the Portuguese chose to field weakened line-ups in the league as he led Manchester United to success in Europe’s second-tier competition – Wenger replied:
“No, he [Mourinho] did that [focused on the Europa League] much later, once they were in the semi-final. We are not as far as that. We have to focus on the Premier League.”
I’m expecting a lot of empty seats at the stadium so I hope people that aren’t going to the game give their tickets to those who can’t afford to go.
COYG!
Odds on a tabloid hack asking Jose about Arsene accusing him of dispresepcting the Europa Leaue by fielding weakened teams?
About one in one.
United were absolutely dire today. Just brutally bad. Mourinho has basically turned into a Machiavellian Allardyce. Just bomb it forward to Lukaku (who everyone is quickly realizing is very poor) and hope the wide players can catch up to him in time. The funniest thing is you know he’s very pleased with himself and will be thinking he’s gotten a great result. Now they can go back to Manchester and grind out a dull and lifeless 1-0 or 2-0 win. I have to say also that Sanchez has been terrible since he got to Utd. He’s even gesticulating at his… Read more »
ha, try to pick a team that will win the next game….YOU want to try a bit harder then mate..
It will be nice to see the gunners proceeding to the next round and any player’s being giving chances should play and prove what he is made up of. COYG
Should have those with a point to prove, eg Webs, Mkhi etc plus some youngsters.
With some back-up on the bench in case things go awry.
That last bit is the one that has got me worried.
WE’VE GOT MESUT OZIL I DON’T THINK YOU OSTERSUND
priceless!
No way! Hahahahahah
As an Iranian and Arsenal fan, I really enjoyed the combination of the 3-0 victory and the great performance of Saman Ghoddos 😀 Hope to see another 3-0 victory and another great performance by Saman tonight 😀
Its tomorrow
I hate the idea of following Moronho!
While I agree that we shouldn’t be complacent in the league, I do think that should we get through our priorities will begin to shift towards the europa.
Question, seeing as were in the carabao final, have we essentially already qualified for next years europa given that City are pretty much guaranteed champions league next season?
Does the Cow Cup winner even get an automatic place in the Europa League any more?
I think they join the qualifying rounds
Is it just me or do PEA and AMN have some serious zombie arms going on in that photo? Be a shame if Arsene had to get the bat out.
That’s not AMN its RN