Unai Emery on Europa League: Arsenal might prioritise Europa League this season ahead of the England’s top flight.
Arsenal are playing in the Europa League this season, as the club finished sixth in the Premier League 2017/18. After a poor start to the new season, which saw Arsenal dropping 6 points from their four Premier League matches so far, Unai Emery has hinted that the Gunners might prioritise the Europa League.
“After the Champions League, the Europa League is the most important competition,” Emery said.
“If teams cannot play in the Champions League, it is very important. When we opened this possibility that, when you win the Europa League, you play in the Champions League, it was the key to improve the interest in this competition,” the Arsenal head coach added.
“I have proven with my experience to know the best way to manage the players [in the Europa League].
“My idea first isn’t to change 11 players for one competition and the next competition. Each match is giving us information for how we can play.”
Unai Emery has won three Europa League titles during his time with Spanish club Sevilla. He left Sevilla for Paris Saint Germain, but couldn’t replicate his European success in the Champions League.
In the second half of the previous season, Arsene Wenger also shifted his focus to the Europa League. Arsenal reached the semifinal of the tournament, but lost to eventual champions Atletico Madrid.
Also read: Premier League 2018/19: Newcastle United vs Arsenal prediction
Arsenal are currently at 9th position in the Premier League with six points from four matches. After suffering losses to Manchester City and Chelsea in their first two games, Arsenal made a comeback against West Ham United, and subsequently beat Cardiff City to bring their campaign back on track.
Arsenal travel to Newcastle United this week.
