Arsenal have announced their Europa League squad ahead of their campaign starting next week. They have included Alexis Sanchez in their 42-man squad. After emerging as one of the best players in the Premier League last season, it will be a comedown for the Chilean to feature in the competition, but it looks likely that he will. They have also included a number of youngsters, while Jack Wilshere and Mathieu Debuchy could be given an opportunity in the competition.
It will be interesting to see how Arsenal approach the Europa League. Although they wouldn’t have wanted to be in the competition, it offers them a good chance to give experience to young players. It could also be their best chance of making next season’s Champions League. They look significantly behind the rest of the top six and will struggle to finish in the top four this season.
Arsene Wenger has been prominent in the French media during the international break. He has been discussing a wide range of subjects and talked up the Gunners’ chances of success this season. The Independent report the following comments, which were taken from his appearance on BeIN SPORTS:
“People make their minds up very quickly and you forget how good you are – much quicker than you think,”
“We must continue to believe in our strengths and not to forget. And ours fans as well, to have a successful season we need our fans.”
A couple of bad results always increase the negativity around a football club, especially at a top-six team. The instant gratification that has engulfed the sport means that a crisis is always just around the corner. However, Arsenal have endured more than a lot of other clubs and that suggests that the negativity is warranted.
Tutto Mercato Web reports that Arsenal are tracking the development of Cagliari striker Han Kwang-Song. The forward is making waves in Italy and he is set to become the greatest player to hail from North Korea. The report states that Juventus are seriously interested in the player, while Everton are also keeping an eye on the 18-year-old.
This is completely believable as Arsenal have a habit of targeting young players rather than those that are ready-made for the first team. Although Kwang-Son is an exciting talent, he isn’t what the club need at the moment. They need to improve the quality of the first-team as they look behind all five of their rivals at the top of the Premier League.