EPL’s top four best return ticket – Wenger

ARSENAL can sustain a Europa League challenge, but a top-four finish in the Premier League would be the best way to reach next season’s Champions League, manager Arsene Wenger has said.

Manchester United won the Europa League title last season to secure direct entry to the Champions League.

Manager Jose Mourinho made winning the competition a priority as United slipped to a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League.

Wenger, however, believes domestic success is key to Arsenal’s ambitions after dropping out of the top four for the first time in 20 years.

“I think the best way to do it is through the Premier League,” Wenger said before Arsenal host Cologne in their Europa League opener today.

“We did that for 20 years. We got 75 points last year and overall I am humble enough to be happy to win every competition.”

Arsenal’s last appearance in the competition was their 2000 UEFA Cup final defeat to Galatasaray, while Cologne will be playing their first European match in 25 years.

Wenger is expected to rotate his team, with a Premier League fixture on Sunday against Chelsea likely to take priority, and there could be a start for Alexis Sanchez, who was a substitute in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat of Bournemouth.

Arsenal have made a poor start to the campaign, losing twice in their opening four league games.

Seven-time European champions AC Milan will be aiming to win a first Europa League title.

Milan, Lazio and Atalanta are a trio of Serie A clubs aiming to end a recent Italian drought in the competition.

Spain, who most recently won the trophy with Sevilla in the three years before last season, and with Atletico Madrid in 2010 and 2012, are represented by Villarreal, Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao.

The German Bundesliga hopes rest with Hertha Berlin, Cologne and Hoffenheim. – Reuters-DPA