Arsenal’s run in the UEFA Europa League continues after a very impressive 3-0 win over Rennes in the second leg round of 16 tie on Thursday. Pierre Aubamenyang and Maintland Niles got the goals meaning that Unai Emery’s men’s season objective which is to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season remains on course in two competitions.
Arsenal are currently fourth on the English Premier League table with only 8 games of the league campaign left to play. I bet that not a single Arsenal fan expected their team to have made it this far in Europe and still be in contention for a top 4 place at this stage of the season given that the Gunners are with a new manager this season after 22 years of Arsene Wenger and the disaster start they endured having lost the two first game of the Premier League season to Manchester City and Chelsea respectively.
The Londoners have been in terrific form of late and will look to continue in the same vein when the international break is over in two week’s time. Unai Emery is a Europa League specialist having won it three times in a row at Sevilla which begs the question, can Arsenal win the Europa League and finish in the top four this season?
The answer to that question can only be revealed in May but much of it will rely on the team’s adaptability to playing every Thursday and Sunday for a big chunk of the remaining season. Key players will also need to stay fit and in top form while the likes of Mohamed Elneny need to step up and ease the burden on their teammates.
Arsenal’s rebirth under Unai Emery has been sensational but not without ups and downs. Everyone at the club knows that the main objective this season is qualifying for next season’s champions league at all costs. The mission is still very much on and on two fronts, the League and in the Europa League, but can Unai Emery’s men do it on both fronts? Let us know what you think in the comments section below….