FOOTBALL DIGEST

MIKEL ARTETA has warned his Arsenal players against making the ‘big mistake’ of focusing solely on the Europa League, with their Premier League season still salvageable. The Gunners are in a European semi-final, leaving Arteta delighted — but demanding that those standards are met more consistently. Arsenal face Fulham today and still have faint hopes of qualifying for Europe via the Premier League. ‘It would be a big mistake,’ he said. ‘I love that phrase (putting all your eggs in one basket). My dad has always told me that since I was 15 years old. ‘We cannot do that. The league is really important. There have been a lot of changes in recent weeks in the table and we want to be involved until the last match. ‘The way to do that is to put a run together from now until the end of the season.’

FULHAM boss Scott Parker has hailed the impact Arsenal youngsters Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have made this campaign. ‘What young players bring is an energy and a real freedom,’ he said. ‘But there’s a fine balance when you are where we are in the league.’ Parker has called on his young squad to show their mettle in the face of adversity. ‘I want energy, resilience and excitement to go and play football,’ he added. ‘Go and showcase your quality, and we can give anyone a game.’

MARCELO BIELSA has not thought about bolstering his Leeds squad, as doubts persist over his future. Bielsa shot down reports claiming he will sign a new contract, with his current deal due to expire this summer. Bielsa said: ‘It is best to let the campaign finish to gather the arguments for any decisions we make.’

SEAN DYCHE insists any talks about his Burnley future must be put on hold until the club’s Premier League future is secured. With seven games remaining, the Clarets are seven points clear of the drop zone. Dyche has only one more year left on his contract after this season, but before he sits down for negotiations there is work to be done. ‘I’ve made it clear to the chairman my focus is to make sure we secure ourselves in the Premier League,’ said Dyche, ahead of his side’s trip to Manchester United today. ‘That is not yet a given. Beyond that the chairman has made it clear he wants to speak about my future here.’ Although Burnley have enjoyed top-half finishes in two of their last three seasons, Dyche recognises that mere survival this time would represent success. He said: ‘There were lots of challenges off the pitch last season going into this — ownership change, injuries, and only spending £750,000 despite the club having huge sums in the bank.’