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Arsenal: Europa League should not be an easy out
By Rory Picton
Arsenal are only in one competition this season, which they have to win to get back into the Champions League. But they can’t rely on this to save the season.
Arsenal has had an abysmal season so far, no one can dispute that. But to take the Europa League as last resort to Champions League football is scrapping the bottom of the barrel. The Gunners should be aiming higher as a club, top four should be a regular finishing spot for this club.
Flash your mind back five years, would you think the Gunners would be competing in the Europa League and struggling in the league? Probably not.
So when the end of last season came around and Arsenal finished in a Europa League spot, I, and countless other fans, were very disappointed. How could such a historic and famous club fall so far from grace? And how could a clubs season hinge on a second-rate competition that Arsenal fans used to make fun of.
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This season now hinges on them making it back into the Champions League through a Europa League trophy.
Now that’s something Gooners are not used to. The Europa League has shown its weaknesses in that it doesn’t have the same pace or caliber that the Champions League has. Also, it doesn’t draw the same kind of crowds. The Emirates Stadium was no were near packed for the CSKA Moscow game on Thursday.
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Arsenal can’t qualify for the Champions League this season through league positions, and even before that was official, it seemed quite clear. They are currently sixth, but in good form, and could potentially slip into fifth place ahead of Chelsea, for what that’s worth.
They need to work harder to prove that their season hasn’t gone to waste. Dropping out and being beaten thoroughly this season in all domestic competitions this season. Losing to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup and then getting ripped apart by league leaders Manchester City in the Carabao Cup Final, for instance.
If they had maybe won those trophies this season, the fans wouldn’t be pushing the team as much. They might not have had that rough patch more than a month ago. They could be pushing for a Champions League spot on their own, not relying on another competition.
The Europa League may not be the most prestigious trophy, but Arsenal needs it. Many other top European teams have won it. Even Manchester United needed it last year. It is used for lower teams to get back into more prestigious competitions, for them to gain more revenue as well. Something the Gunners shouldn’t need.
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This club must prove to the fans and board that they are the real deal and are willing to work for their glory. This is a very strong squad in the Europa League and they look likely winners.