SM
Arsenal vs. Newcastle: 7 hrs 36 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
VL
Europa League | Semi-Finals
May 9, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
AL

2-4

Gameiro (11', 58')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Aubameyang (17', 69', 88'), Lacazette (50')

Unai Emery: Europa League is an "important title"

:Headline: Unai Emery: Europa League is an 'important title': ID:358646: from db_amp
Winning the Europa League would be Arsenal's only realistic route back into the Champions League.

Unai Emery wants to win the Europa League to add something to the Arsenal trophy cabinet – not just to secure a return to the Champions League.

After being held to a 1-1 home draw by Brighton on Sunday, the Gunners' hopes of finishing in the Premier League's top four are all but over.

That means Emery must guide his team to Europa League glory if he is to end his first season at the helm by taking Arsenal back to the continent's elite club competition.

Emery returns to former club Valencia on Thursday night for the second leg of their Europa League semi-final tie having won the first leg 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium last week.

The 47-year-old won three successive Europa League titles during his time at Sevilla and is keen for further success.

"I first competed for this title here at Valencia when it was still the UEFA Cup and was a lesser title than I think it is now," he said.

"It has grown. It's an important title for all those teams that are not in the Champions League – and for some who drop into it as a second chance, like Valencia this season.

"It's a title they all want to win. Giving teams a Champions League place through the Europa League is a fair reward. I have seen that shift.

Unai Emery, left, celebrates winning the Europa League with Sevilla in 2016 (Adam Davy/PA)

"The first time I won it with Sevilla, we didn't get Champions League access; the second time, we did.

"It's an attractive title and it's getting more attractive: we've seen Manchester United, Atletico, Sevilla against Liverpool.

"The demands are high and everyone wants it, as a title, not just a way in (to the Champions League).

"At any club like Arsenal or Valencia, titles have to be the objectives. Arsenal only have two European titles in their history: the old Fairs Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup, neither of which (still) exist, so I have a lot of ambition to win a title."

Arsenal could still meet London rivals Chelsea in the Europa League final – but the Blues no longer need to win the tournament to play Champions League football next season after they secured a top-four finish in the Premier League at the weekend.

David Luiz celebrates after scoring in Chelsea's win over Watford (Adam Davy/PA)

But Emery insists he is not feeling any additional pressure to deliver the Europa League title now it remains Arsenal's only route into the tournament.

"We started with two possible routes to the Champions League, one through Premier League and second through Europa League, and we are speaking about Europa League like it's one title," he said.

"We want to play for the possibility to take the title, and secondly for the Champions League. We know it is going to be difficult and we are finished in the Premier League, no possibility, but we have a possibility in this competition.

"With big ambition, full motivation, strong mentality, I want to enjoy this game. Games like this, away, difficult team, for an important target is all positive for us.

"It (feeling pressure) is not a condition for me. I am positive. I am very demanding with myself and give my players this mentality we want to do something important. I am not feeling pressure like a negative."

amp_article__358646 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-05-09 09:12:05:
html db last update - 2019-05-09 09:12:05 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Unai Emery

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Share this article now:
Read more about Unai Emery Football
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .