‘Top four still a goal for us’
ALEX IWOBI refuses to believe that winning the Europa League is Arsenal’s only chance of achieving Champions League football next season.
They are eight points off the top four in the Premier League and could be as many as 11 behind their rivals by the time they play their next league game at home to leaders Manchester City in a fortnight.
And the importance of their European campaign was highlighted by manager Arsene Wenger picking his strongest possible team – including Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan – for Thursday’s 3-0 first-leg win at Ostersunds in the round of 32.
But with 11 Premier League games remaining, Iwobi feels they can still make the top four. He said: “We have to do our best in both competitions.
“That’s what we are trying to do: get into the top four and win the Europa League. That’s the aim.”
Wenger has continued to back Iwobi, 21, after he was pictured leaving a party in the early hours of the day before Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat at Championship Nottingham Forest in January.
Iwobi, who was fined after admitting his mistake, has started seven of Arsenal’s past eight games and seems set to play a big part in Arsenal’s double bid – as well as in their Carabao Cup final against City a week tomorrow.
Iwobi said: “I’m still young. I’m still learning from the lads like Mesut and Mkhitaryan. Every time I play, I am grateful.” BARNSLEY have appointed Jose Mourinho ally and fellow Portuguese Jose Morais as their new head coach.
The 52-year-old, right, who worked alongside Mourinho at Inter Milan when they won the Champions League in 2010, has replaced Paul Heckingbottom on an 18-month deal. His first match will be Tuesday’s Championship clash at home to Burton.