Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has hinted his old club could do well to copy what Manchester United did last season and qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League.
The former Gunners midfielder has suggested Arsene Wenger could try to go all the way in this unfancied competition, despite top clubs often not placing too much importance on it.
Arsenal are usually regulars in the Champions League but only finished fifth last season to drop down to this level for the first time in 17 years.
Last time they played in the Europa League, then called the UEFA Cup, Wenger’s side reached the final, only to lose on penalties to Galatasaray.
Parlour remembers that game well and still believes this is a competition worth winning for Arsenal.
‘It’s not ideal, you’d rather be in the Champions League but you’ve got to deal with it,’ the former England international told Arsenal Player.
‘It’s worth winning. Look at last season, there’s the top four and then Man United got into (the Champions League) by winning the Europa League, so it will be interesting to see what Arsene Wenger does.
‘Certainly it’s an important cup – I didn’t win it, I got to the final in 2000 when we played Galatasaray in the final and we lost on penalties. That was disappointing as that would have been another good trophy to win.
Arsenal 2017/18 fixtures
Huddersfield (A) - Sun May 13
‘There’s nothing like losing (a final), you sit in the dressing room afterwards and think about how it’s been a long hard road to get there only to then lose. Being runners-up is no good, you have to be a winner – that was why it was a disappointing year in the end.
‘I’m sure this Arsenal team will map it out to try to get to the final, they have good quality and I am sure they will be there or thereabouts.’
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