Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted Arsenal need to finish in the top three at the end of the season.
Only the top three
in the EPL qualify for the UCL, with the fourth having to go through a
qualification round that spans over two legs.
And with a number
of Arsenal stars set to play at Euro 2016 in June and July, Wenger is
hoping to book a direct place in Europe’s most prestigious club
tournament.
“Top four is not Champions League, top three, yes,” the Frenchman said. “That’s why it is important.
“What has changed
over the years is that the impact of the finances in the Champions
League is not as big any more. For a period in the past the money was
vital.
“But the sporting
impact, the planning of the next season, of course it changes
completely, especially when you have a big summer tournament like the
Euros which is now like a World Cup.
“When you have to play Champions League qualifiers the European Championship is still going on.
“You can play teams
in the qualifiers who are in the middle of their league championship
because they have started already in June.
“We are not guaranteed a top-four [finish] and we have to fight for that.”
Arsenal face relegation-threatened Sunderland on Sunday as they look to consolidate third place.
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