Unai Emery on Europa League: Arsenal manager talks about the importance of Europa League and takes a dig at other English clubs.
Arsenal have been in sublime form this season. After losing the two opening Premier League games to Man City and Chelsea, the Gunners are yet to drop points in the league. Unai Emery’s side currently sits at 4th in the league, with only two points behind league leaders Manchester City.
The Gunners are also on a nine-match winning streak in all competitions, which include a win in their first round of Carabao Cup over lower-league side Brentford, and two Europa League group matches.
Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have found their goal-scoring boots, as both scored a brace in their last match against Fulham this weekend. Arsenal thumped the newly-promoted side 5-1 at Craven Cottage to take a lead over Tottenham in the table.
As the players head out for the international break, Unai Emery talked about the importance of Europa League this season.
Unai Emery on Europa League:
The Spanish manager has won Europa League on three occasions with Sevilla. It is no surprise, hence, that the Emery places a huge emphasis on winning the European competition this season with Arsenal.
In a conference in Madrid, he talked about the importance of Europe’s second-tier competition and insisted that English clubs don’t place value on it.
“It’s a competition where English teams do not see that they can develop and find a place, it was a sacrifice too big. When I won it with Sevilla, I saw that the English were not fighting for it,” said Emery.
“But four years ago, UEFA made a rule to strengthen it, giving a Champions League place to the winner.
“In the four years since then, two English teams have reached the final.
“I am in this competition and I transmit to the Arsenal players that it is very important because it is a title and an open door to the Champions League.”
What next?
Last year, Arsenal reached the semifinal of the Europa League under Arsene Wenger, but lost to eventual winners Atletico Madrid. This season, Arsenal have won both of their games of the tournament so far.
