That culminated in finishing fifth in last season’s Allsvenskan and winning the Svenska Cupen, thus sneaking into the early rounds of Europa League qualification. Moreover, the notion that Arsenal can win the Europa League as easily as Manchester United did last season is far too simplistic. Saint-Etienne finished 8th in Ligue 1, Rostov – the only Champions League dropout faced – came 6th in the Russian Premier League and Celta Vigo ended the campaign in 13th place. Does that really represent Arsenal’s best route into the Champions League? Their top-four hopes are disappearing, but only an incredibly favourable Europa League draw offers a surer bet.

Source: Metro February 15, 2018 07:00 UTC