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Arsenal: Europa League turning a problem into a positive
Petr Cech has stated that Arsenal entering the Europa League is not a problem. While I do not necessarily agree, there are positives to be found.
For the first time in Arsene Wenger’s tenure, Arsenal have failed to qualify for the Champions League. It is certainly a surreal and unknown time for the club. It was assumed almost guaranteed that, despite their troubles and their tribulations, they would haul their way back into the top four because that’s what always happens. Right?
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Wrong. The top four was out of reach and now perspectives must shift towards how success can be found in this new context. Traditionally, playing in the Europa League has been a distraction and an annoyance that has detracted from team’s Premier League campaigns. However, an early exit or the resting of star players could pay dividends next season.
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That is the view of Petr Cech. When asked whether he saw as the Europa League as a problem, Cech highlighted the success that Chelsea enjoyed this season without European football whatsoever, stating that he believed he and his teammates could use the lack of Champions League as a positive:
"“If you have a one off year in 20 years it is not a problem. The club has a strong foundation and organisation to be one year out and to come back straight it. Like Chelsea last season. It helped them not to be involved as they could keep all their energy for the league. I hope the team stays together. We can look forward to the FA Cup final and finish the season on a high.”"
The comparison, though, does not quite hold true. The key difference between Chelsea’s campaign this year and one with a Europa League to contend with is the increased travel and the unhelpful schedule that results, because of Thursday night games. That is a problem. But that does not mean that there are not positives to be found in missing out on the Champions League.
The first is that, if he so chooses, Wenger can play young players in the Europa League, resting his stars for the Premier League in an attempt to keep the squad fresh late in the year. But perhaps the more significant positive is that if you win the Europa League, then you qualify for the Champions League the next season. It offers two attempts to qualify, which is incredibly valuable given the ever-increasing competition at the top of the Premier League.
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Cech is wrong when he states that the Europa League is not a problem. It is. But that does not mean that it is a problem that does not bring any positives, and there are some benefits that Arsenal could well exploit next season.