Arsenal legend Robert Pires says his former side must do everything they can to win the Europa League as he believes it’s their only hope of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
The Gunners currently sit 6th in the Premier League, eight points off the top four with only 11 games left till the end of the campaign. Gaining that much ground given the form the teams above them are in means Arsenal would need to win every game they have left in the League and then still need some help from the teams above them which seems pretty unlikely.
However if you are the betting type then you could find some pretty tasty odds at Betvictor promotions for Arsenal to finish in the top four but in reality your bet may be better placed on Arsene Wenger’s men winning the Europa League despite their recent second leg home loss to Östersund which gave Gooners serious cause for concern.
Robert Pires has all but written off Arsenal’s hopes of catching the leading pack, instead insisting Arsene Wenger’s side must focus all their efforts on winning the Europa League.
Pires said: “The Europa League has to be Arsenal’s priority now, already.
“The objective has to be to do what Manchester United did last season – they are a good example. United won the Europa League and went straight into the Champions League – for Arsenal it is very important to get this state of mind.
“It’s a trophy, a good trophy, so it’s very important. And this season it is the last opportunity Arsenal have of making the Champions League.
“I want to see Arsenal playing again in the Champions League. But it is very difficult with Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea all above them”.
Arsenal face Osterunds in the second leg of their last-32 tie tonight, and go into the tie with a 3-0 advantage.
As well as Osterunds, the Gunners have already topped German side FC Koln and FC BATE Borisov this season – but the Pires remains fully aware that bigger challenges lie ahead for Arsene Wenger’s men.
Pires added: “Atletico and Arsenal are the favourites, for me this is the final in Lyon. They both have a lot of experience, especially in the Champions League.
“They just need to avoid each other and Celtic if they want to face each other in the final.”
Arsenal are lacking service to their front men