Arsenal’s season may have ended but for two of their fellow Premier League clubs, Wolves and Manchester United, their campaigns are still ongoing in European competition.
With both clubs in the late stages of the Europa League, I will be explaining why it is important from an Arsenal perspective that neither club lifts the famous old trophy.
Manchester United.
In a possible scenario, if Manchester United win the Europa League this year they would have won two of the last four Europa League finals.
It’s bad enough to watch from the outside as a rival wins a title, especially when it’s a European title but it would be hard to take from an Arsenal perspective seeing a rival win two of the last four available Europa League’s, when in the last three seasons we’ve struggled in the exact same competition!
Another reason why it’s important that Manchester United don’t win the UEFA Europa League from an Arsenal viewpoint is that Ole Gunnar Solskjær is making Manchester United competitive again in European football.
Since his arrival, this can be witnessed in a Champions League quarterfinal and as of now Europa League quarterfinal. Why is this bad for Arsenal, you might be wondering?
Having qualified for next season’s Champions League, a Europa League win could really push Manchester United forward in Europe. If they were to make a good run in next seasons Champions League this would result in larger paydays, larger paydays which would further bridge the gap between Arsenal and Manchester United. At least financially.
A final reason why it’s oh so important Manchester United don’t win the trophy is Paul Pogba. To put it simply, Paul Pogba is a fantastic world class player.
If Manchester United were to win the Europa League, this could convince Pogba that this Manchester United squad are capable of lifting and challenging for silverware and could result in him staying put at the Red Devils.
Whereas if they get knocked out, not lifting silverware, perhaps Pogba will decide to move. Pogba leaving would make it easier for Arsenal to claw back some ground on Manchester United and even leap frog them.
Could help Manchester United return to their glory glory days
Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Wolves are two potential games away from reaching the final, which would be a remarkable achievement for them. If they win the Europa League, they would automatically qualify for the Champions League and it could see Wolves cement themselves as a big team in the short and maybe even long-term future.
From my Arsenal viewpoint, Arsenal as we all know have finished 8th this season. Trying to break into the ‘’top 6’’, a goal for next season has become more complicated by the emergence of Wolves and Leicester City.
Wolves improving, winning silverware and playing Champions League football is not something I want to see happen. As an Arsenal fan, I respect and admire Wolves. What they have built, some of their players they have and of course their manager.
However as an Arsenal fan, I want players such as Raúl Jiménez, Diogo Jota and Rúben Neves to all leave Wolves as quickly and as soon as possible. I don’t want Wolves to be or remain a threat to Arsenal, I want to see them crumble and fall into mid table obscurity.
Wolves (if they get knocked out of European football) will not be playing in any European competition next season. If that were to happen, that’s good for Arsenal.
A competitor is weakened and hopefully some of their best players will leave. Wolves in the Champions League? That means their best players stay and the squad will be improved with new high-quality signings.
Wolves are on the rise – which makes it harder for Arsenal
It’s obvious which one is best for Arsenal.
Here’s to Manchester United and Wolves failing to lift the Europa League and an underdog like FC København, FC Basel or Shakhtar Donetsk winning the 2020 UEFA Europa League.
I am a young writer, focused on producing high quality content. With a love for both journalism and writing, I have a growth mindset, where I strive for continuous improvement. I am also an: Occasional freelancer. Unai Emery Enthusiast. A person of many plans.
Also interested in the psyche, mentality and mental health of players – their motivation, the harmful effects of social media, and how the football world affects them.
dont just hate other clubs because our arsenal is so horrible and slowly becoming a mid-table team.Wolves are where they are because of their effort. Wishing for them to go down to mid-table is silly, after all they could finish 10th and still be ahead of arsenal next season
Hi, author here. No hate for either club, besides it’s only natural to dislike and want what’s worst for ones rivals. I expect Spurs fans are wishing the worst for us this season (mid-table or lower, out of Europe, best players leave etc) and vice versa.
This has got to be the most pathetic, misguided article I’ve read for a long time.
Hi Jack, sorry to hear you feel that way. Next time I will make sure to wish that Manchester United win the Europa League and my Arsenal get relegated…
I have no issues with either Man U or Wolves winning the trophy, in fact I hope one of them does. I’m old school enough to still be supporting English teams (however rival they are) in Europe and would consider myself to be a really sad & small person to wish them bad luck
I have no issues with either club winning the trophy, in fact I hope one of them does as I’m old school enough to still support British teams in Europe. Hope Man City wins the CL too.
The arguments do not hold water because whether these two clubs won or not the Europa League, it doesn’t have any logical relation with Arsenal. Arsenal should be judged only by their own performance on the basis of criterion-referenced evaluation principle.
While I do agree with some of your points, sometimes you are judged on how others around you are doing. Case in point, Spurs. They haven’t won a trophy in who knows how long and of course they are going to be constantly compared and judged, based on other clubs achievements and on-goings.
Also you can’t deny from an Arsenal viewpoint, Arsenal wouldn’t benefit in some manner from Wolves or Manchester United not winning the Europa League. Even if it is only a small financial benefit or a benefit in regards to bragging rights.
From a Wolves perspective I find it very sad to find an Arsenal fan eaten up with envy. In the long years struggling in the lower leagues I used to admire and enjoy the great Arsenal teams under Arsene Wenger, not wish them failure because Wolves couldn’t have it. You sound very young and hope your attitudes will change when you get older.
Hi Ray, nice to hear from yourself. There’s no envy/hatred directed to Wolves on my part. In fact I have a great admiration for Wolves and how they’ve gone from being relegated from the Premier League and Championship, going down to League One and then bouncing back up to the Premier League and being in the Europa League ( a great feat) and competing at the top of the table. It’s amazing.
I’m sure you can understand as Wolves are a threat to Arsenal and Arsenal are a threat to Wolves, Arsenal and Wolves fans want what is best for their clubs. For example, I’m sure Wolves were hoping Arsenal would lose the FA Cup final, so Wolves could hold onto their Europa League spot. I understand that and I have no hard feelings to any Wolves fan who hoped that happened (in the same situation I would be the same).
Likewise as Wolves are a threat to Arsenal, I hope they don’t win the Europa League. There’s nothing personal against Wolves, and I hope you understand my position.
You miss two other key points..
1) With more English teams playing and doing well in Europe the Premiership becomes more attractive and as a result English clubs benefit from more interest and demand
2) If Wolves aren’t playing in Europe next season they’ll likely be stronger in the Premiership and able to improve on their 7th place finish of this season. That isn’t good news for Arsenal’s hopes.
As a Wolves fan living in the south, with Arsenal supporting in laws the FA cup was a tricky one!! Obviously would have been nice to know we had guaranteed European football next season but everything is still in our own hands although a very tricky tie against Sevilla tomorrow!
Champions League qualification could take Wolves to the next step – would definitely help us keep hold of our prized assets, although with our recent recruitment history I’m sure they will be suitably replaced and we would be challenging the top 6 again this coming season!
Surely Arsenal should be taking a more inward look as to why they have seen the last few seasons of decline, how poor recruitment decisions (Ozil) have resulted in a lack of clout in the transfer market – a team like Arsenal should be challenging for the top 4 but have really gone off the boil!
I agree with true my friend but we are our platform that allows all our writers their own views.
Hey Luke, that does sound like a sticky/potentially awkward situation! That reminds me of when I watched the 2019 Europa League final, with a Chelsea mate. I feel you were a bit unlucky to drop out of a European spot, we certainly didn’t do you any favours losing to Spurs. The Sevilla game will be a great watch, they are the kings of the Europa League of course, so a win for Wolves would be massive.
I 100% agree with your second and third points, and you presented them really well. We do have some internal situations going on, and like you mentioned poor recruitment such as with Ozil’s contract.
Wish you all the best,
Raphael
…and the best of luck Luke. Of the two teams mentioned I’d prefer Wolves to win as they’re due some belated success & recognition. Just like the old days of the 1950’s