Should Arsenal go all out to win the Europa League?

With Arsenal entangled in a fierce title race with Manchester City, the spectre of the Europa League starts to loom amid the competition’s last 16 stage starting in March and presenting a conundrum for Mikel Arteta: Should Arsenal go all out to win it?

At the start of the season, most Gooners would have pencilled in top four and a cup triumph as a realistic aim for the campaign. However, due to Arsenal’s unexpected and searing ascent to the summit of the Premier League and early exits in the League and FA Cup respectively, they only have two opportunities to claim silverware.

Do the Gunners need to win the Europa League? Aside from winning a European trophy, the other main benefit of winning it is getting a place in next season’s Champions League. But Arsenal are almost guaranteed a spot in that competition due to their domestic performance. Only an unprecedented collapse will see them fall out of the top four at this stage.

Should Arsenal go all out to win the Europa League?

The Thursday/Sunday fixtures compounded by the travel make it extremely difficult for Arsenal to play a fully-fit, strong and energised starting XI for both competitions. And with the squad prone to injuries, sacrificing key players in the Europa League may have detrimental effects on Arsenal’s title charge.

Arteta has this season rotated the squad for the competition. For example, one of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes would start with the other one rested. Fabio Vieira has deputised well for Martin Odegaard. One benefit of the competition is players who are often limited to a few minutes are given an opportunity to shine. Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson, who have been hampered by injuries, may show Arteta they deserve to play a more critical role in the team’s title hunt.

Unfortunately, the Gunners have shown a marked drop in quality and cohesion when the likes of Thomas Partey, Odegaard and Bukayo Saka are absent. The trio are fundamental to Arsenal’s style, especially Partey, whose injury troubles mean he is unlikely to be risked. Saka, meanwhile, is kicked from pillar to post in every game, so the manager may seek to protect him.

Arteta will have to prioritise. He may mix and match, but the risk of injury and fatigue to certain cornerstone players could prove to be fatal. Arsenal lack the level of squad depth and quality at Pep Guardiola’s disposal, making decisions far more difficult.

Nonetheless, Arsenal are in a strong and unique position to win their first league title in almost two decades. It would make sense for the Gunners to put all their eggs in the Premier League basket as the club is certainly guaranteed a spot in next season’s Champions League.