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Arsenal aren’t Champions League level and that is not Arteta’s fault

By Kian Long

Arsenal's Spanish head coach Mikel Arteta applauds at the end of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 23, 2020. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Spanish head coach Mikel Arteta applauds at the end of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 23, 2020. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal are not at the Champions League level. This is nobody’s fault but their own…

Mikel Arteta was bound to be in for a hard time when he signed the contract at Arsenal. He was the first to admit in one of his earlier press conferences that his former club were a sunken ship and it would take work to get them back afloat.

Consequently, Arteta would have a long-term strategy in mind at Arsenal, not a short-term plan. While there have been significant improvements, Arsenal fans shouldn’t be expecting much more.

To go on an unbeaten run for almost two months, given how they were performing under Unai Emery, is magnificent work from Arteta and he should be applauded.

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The reason why I am reiterating this is because Arsenal had to bid farewell to the Europa League last night, being knocked out on away goals by Olympiacos. It was a tough blow to take given it being Arsenal’s ticket into the Champions League.

It remains to be seen whether the fifth-place team in the Premier League will guarantee Champions League football next season with Manchester City’s expulsion from the competition.

However, if I was Arteta, I wouldn’t be too concerned about this. Yes, playing in the top tier of Europan football would be nice for the fans but as demonstrated last night, the Gunners are a long, LONG way off reaching this level.

The truth is; Arsenal are a Europa League side. At least for the time being, they are not able to compete with the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. I mean, we all know what happened the last time Arsenal faced Bayern…

So, I suppose what I’m saying is that there shouldn’t be any pressure, like whatsoever, on Arteta to reach the Champions League this season.

That would be like asking an elephant to grow wings. It’s all very well having the wings, but they’d be far too heavy to fly with the wings.

Arteta must be the long-term option. He has proven to the board he is worthy of this title and he knows the club inside out.

It’s important to remember that Arteta hasn’t been given enough time or financial backing to make the squad how he wants it. Yes, Arsenal signed Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares on loan but do you really think these were signings Arteta demanded? Probably not.

If the Gunners can only qualify for the Europa League again next season, it’s no biggie. They mustn’t get too far ahead of themselves and instead should invest in the summer transfer window.

Arteta has things covered, he just needs time.

Next. 5 talking points as Arsenal crash out of the Europa League to Olympiacos. dark

Do you think Arsenal really need to qualify for the Champions League this season?

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