Guest post by Pat from Arsenal FC blog.
It is a well known fact that Arsenal have not won the Champions League or the Europa League under Arsene Wenger. The closest the Gunners got to winning Europe’s number one competition was a painful defeat to Barcelona in 2006 which ultimately ended the Invincibles era. In the Europa League or the UEFA Cup, as it was known before, Arsenal also reached the final back in 2000, only to suffer an upset against Turkish giants, Galatasaray.
This season, however, we have a chance to right that wrong despite the calibre of clubs still in the competition. The Round of 32 kicks off later this week. The likes of Napoli, Ajax, Atletico Madrid and AC Milan are still in the competition but as much as these teams can win the tournament, Arsenal must do everything in our power to win the tournament. Here are three reasons we must win the Europa League come May.
It can serve as a springboard for further success.
Arsenal are out of the FA Cup after losing out to Nottingham Forest in the third round and face a daunting task in the League Cup Final against Manchester City. The Europa League offers a chance to end the season with a flourish, and help us going forward into the next campaign. Before that though we must beat a host of Europe’s top sides, sides who would not be out of place in the more prestigious Champions League. Should we manage this, a new found belief might ring around The Emirates knowing that we’ve been able stand toe-to-toe with the other big clubs around the continent. Not quite Bayern, Madrid, Barca or City but as said, there’s still some top sides left in this competition for us to overcome.
The Champions League incentive.
After failing to reach this season’s Champions League last season and it’s highly likely we’ll miss out again this season as far as league placement goes, winning the Europa League will see us return to face Europe’s elite teams as a victory in the Europa League assures automatic qualification to next season’s Champions League group stages, just the same way Manchester United and Jose Mourinho did last term.
We face a huge fight to reach the Champions League by virtue of our league position as are currently 6th on the league table at the moment, but winning the Europa will help bring Champions League football back to The Emirates.
Sign Wenger out with style.
For all his success in north London, legendary manager, Arsene Wenger has been derided for his lack of impact in the European game, only reaching two finals in over 20 years at the club. Winning the Europa League falls short of winning the Champions League, but it would do well for his legacy at the club
Throwing in the fact that Arsenal are also in the League Cup Final, which he has never won before. He is into the first year of his 2-year contract he signed following the FA Cup Final last season but rumours are rife that he could depart this summer on a high. The Gunners are reportedly already making plans to replace him, as the club are planning for life after the Frenchman.
There will be no better way to bow out on his Arsenal career by leading the club to two trophies he has never won for the club.
If we won the Europa Cup, Wenger wouldn’t leave. Let’s face it – the only way for him to leave the club is to fail miserably and be told that he is no longer the manager. He cares for the club in as far as he is involved with it on a technical level. It sounds like something akin to a gamblers mentality despite factual information staring at him that his methods are declining every year.
It is more of a fear of mortality for him. He has football and little else and I don’t expect that a Europa Cup victory (as unlikely as it is) will mean that he leaves Arsenal.
Begeegs, don’t you think it’s all gone for too long now for any decision to be made on what he might win?
For what it’s worth though, I think City will beat us handsomely and we’ll soon be out of Europa Cup. Once we face one of the better sides, we’ll struggle I reckon. I wouldn’t even fancy us against Celtic… lol
If the old chap wins something, anything this season he will stay another year, imo. He just can’t bear the thought of leaving. Leaving his football club. The club that Wenger built. All sounds like a bit of a fairy tale, doesn’t it? No, if he wins the u23s league or cup it will justify him staying on, just until the end of his contract. Heaven forfend. He does have the temerity to try and stay on next year he will just drag us down, down, deeper and down.
Not that I particularly wish him any ill will or misfortune he like Zuma in SA needs to know that he is just not wanted or indeed needed any longer. They both Zuma and Wenger need putting out to pasture. Zumba to go where the antelopes roam and Wenger back to Alsace where the beer flows free and saussison is fatty!
He should collect up his memorabilia from his multiple offices and just fcuk off. Kev will collect him and deliver him to the nearest airport. I know he loves the Heathrow run, very lucrative, even if Ebeneezer is paying!
No, no winning, not this year. He just needs to go through the exit door and not look back. By May at the latest.
Poor old sod!
I still think he’s going Wavy. Too many changes going on behind the scenes I reckon. Imo, the club are preparing for life after Arsene Wenger and it can’t come soon enough for me.
He won’t like it if Sven is behind our current signings and future ones, not one bit because he likes control. 100% control.
Rico, this Arsenal squad/team is bi polar, you never know what team is going to show up, the team that took Tottenham to the cleaners at the Emirates or the team that didn’t turn up in the 2nd 45 last weekend?!
Wenger does try to do tactics, he’s just not very good at it, so he set us up not to lose at Wembley, much as he did at Stamford Bridge in the League Cup semi-final, but Chelsea didn’t have Harry Kane and he’s one of the best around.
This Arsenal team is quite capable of going all the way to Lyon for the final of the UEFA Cup.
It’s also capable of getting knocked out by Ostersunds.
But playing one of the better sides over two-legs doesn’t necessarily mean we’re out,, just as facing Man City in last seasons FACup sf didn’t mean our cup run was over, even if all the sensible evidence pointed to it.
It’s the uncertainty that kills ya… ?
Rico
Not in my opinion. If he wins the Europa Cup, he gets Arsenal into the CL next year. He (allegedly) has one more year on his contract, thus one more crack at ole big ears. I really can see Stan letting him have that crack.
I think that we’d all like to believe that he would be honorable enough to walk away, but the fear of a football-less life is something which has him addicted. And I do believe that what he is doing is very similar to someone addicted to something.
Wavy, I would gladly take Arsene to Terminal 5, although I would suggest London City Airport as the flights are cheaper and we all know that he loves a bargain.
And when I say Stan gives him crack, I mean football management which is like crack to Wenger.
Kev, I’m not convinced. If we draw Dortmund or At Madrid, we’re gonners imo. Wenger hasn’t a clue how to play two legged fixtures in Europe imo.
Agree re Kane and his goal was superb, but what about all the other chances they created? City won’t miss the amount the Totts did that’s for sure.
Beegegs, I think we can be quietly confident that’ll he win neither.
I’m not just being negative for the sake of it but history would suggest he hasn’t got a chance in the Europa, and City, well as said before, unless Pep seriously rotates, they’ll be too much for our guys.. Especially if we play as we did against Totts in the second half…
On the face of it, you’re absolutely right Rico, City shouldn’t miss the kind of opportunities that the Spuds passed up on, just as Arsenal shouldn’t have stood a chance against City or Chelsea in the FACup last season, but on their day this Arsenal team can be a really good side, that’s what I mean by bi polar, you never can tell.
I’m not going to Wembley with any expectations, I just hope that it’s a good game, because visiting Wembley is not a pleasurable experience, it’s a pain in the arse.
Well Kev, all we can hope is that the players are up for it because I’m not sure we can rely on Wenger to get them motivated. If they are then as you say, we’ve a chance.
Turning up suited and booted would be a good start, unlike the casual approach to our last League Cup final…
No disrespect intended to the author but are you deluded. Arsenal WILL NOT WIN THE EUROPA LEAGUE. Arsenal WILL NOT WIN THE LEAGUE CUP. Arsenal WILL NOT COME 4TH. AWESOME WILL NOT LEAVE AT THE END OF THIS SEASON. HE MIGHT AT END OF NEXT. Friends, these are my predictions and I truly hope they were different. I have supported the Gunners since 1966 and have seen the good and the bad and this is bad for a club size of AFC. Sour as I say no disrespect intended, it is right that we all have a point of view. Question is will we even beat these Swedes, it is 15 below. I’m serious.
Paddy – I believe that we will draw at best to the Swedes. Underestimation, cold weather, versus a tactical manager, and the usual February failings will see a really crap result up north.
Not to mention this now – – https://www.arsenal.com/news/lacazette-out-knee-problem
That means Welbeck starts. Maybe if he miscontrols something, he will score, but how many of those will he need or get?
begeegs – I belive you are right. Don’t be surprised though if we lose 1-0 and then you will have Cech or Bellerin saying we must do better in our next match. Believe me these Swedes are up for it. Of course AW will have his ready made excuse, the weather. If we lose to this team a taxi is required for AW, I will drive it myself.
4 to 6 weeks , probably be back with Santi.
If ever.
How on earth has Lacazette picked up an injury…?
Who are you shouting at Paddy? 😉
Rico. I think ithey said it’s a small knee operation so it might have been an ongoing thing.
Adam, surprised he’s been played if that’s the case…
Rico. That’s true.
We’re snookered for Europa then. Perhaps it’ll kick start Welbeck into scoring a few goals..
Night guys, nice to see Juve 2-0 up…
Hi rico, 6 weeks in arsenal terms is probably out for the rest of the season. .
I remember we were linked to lacaz the summer before last and he got injured at the start of the season missing at least 3 months if not more..
Missing Hiugain at 38 million looks
criminal everyday. .
And he just scored against the tots lol..
Night rico
Perhaps it’ll kick start Welbeck into scoring a few goals..
How many miskicks can he get ? Don’t know about Paddywhack . Paddy power might give good odds.
I know it’s gonna go down like a cup of cold sick on here but I did say a while back the scum were dark horses to go all the way in the Champions League………!!!
Potter, me myself I’d still go with Lacazette running at half pace on crutches playing in a wellington boot against Ostersund, time for Danny boy to step up to the plate.
Up until tonite we were the only English team to win at Basel……this bloke Pep has definately got it in for Wegner, what’s his problem !
Juve will beat them at Wembley Micko.. lol
Morning all..
Morning all.
I like Danny, his workrate, his speed and skill, but he only scores goals from parts of his body other than his feet or head !…………………………………..a great time to release Eddie imo.
https://twitter.com/ODDSbible/status/963439078434922497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.espn.co.uk%2Ffootball%2Fblog%2Fthe-toe-poke%2F65%2Fpost%2F3383131%2Fwenger-out-reaches-winter-olympics-as-swiss-speedskater-is-eliminated
🙂
Lc, I reckon Welbeck will start with Eddie on the bench..
New post up now.