Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Arsenal will feel the impact of Europa outcome
ARSENE Wenger admits the difference between winning the Europa League or not will impact on the future of Arsenal – even though he will not be there to see it.
The Gunners take on Atletico Madrid in Spain tonight for a place in the final – with their semi-final tie finely-poised at 1-1.
Wenger has already announced he will step down as Arsenal boss at the end of the season following a tenure extending over more than 21 years.
The 68-year-old could yet go out with a bang if he delivers Europa League glory and, with it, a return to the Champions League.
Arsenal have endured another poor season domestically and sit sixth in the table, some 36 points adrift of champions Manchester City, and victory at the Wanda Metropolitano will offer solace to both Wenger and a club preparing to move on from a man who has spent over two decades at the helm.
Asked if the game was one of the most important in his time at the club, Wenger replied: “The next one is always the most important in life.
“Of course it is the most important because it is the next one, because it is a big game as well.
“It influences the future of my club and that is why it is massive.
“It is a very, very big for us because the future of Arsenal Football Club is not exactly the same if we qualify for the Champions League or not.
“I don’t know what I will do next season,” he added. “At the minute I think I would like to finish well my job. I believe a man has to give his best as long as he is somewhere.”