Arsenal are now more motivated than ever to face Milan in the Europa League, as Arsene Wenger admits a top four finish is “nearly impossible.”
The winner of the Europa League goes directly into the Champions League group phase for next season.
That now seems to be Arsenal’s only hope of qualification after another 2-1 defeat to Brighton today, leaving them 13 points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham in the Premier League.
Arsenal are now more motivated than ever to face Milan in the Europa League, as Arsene Wenger admits a top four finish is “nearly impossible.”
The winner of the Europa League goes directly into the Champions League group phase for next season.
That now seems to be Arsenal’s only hope of qualification after another 2-1 defeat to Brighton today, leaving them 13 points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham in the Premier League.
“It is very difficult, nearly impossible now – we are too far behind,” Wenger told reporters after the fourth consecutive defeat in all competition.
“We have to be realistic. We need two teams to collapse and I don’t see that happening. We have to give our best as long as we can and the Europa League becomes important.”
Arsenal face Milan in the Europa League Round of 16, with the first leg at San Siro on March 8 and the decider in London on March 15.
Despite growing calls for him to quit or be fired, Wenger remains adamant he is still the right man for the job.
“Yes, because I’ve done it before. I believe a quality of a manager is to try to shorten a crisis. I believe I can do that.”