Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has outlined his opinion of the club's Europa League campaign.
Arteta was asked whether the European competition was one that would be allowing them to go on a quest to win a trophy, or if it was a distraction from the Premier League.
The Gunners are currently top of the league, but would be delighted to finish in the top four or win the Europa League to qualify for the Champions League.
Arteta told a press conference: “Always a help. We are going to have a great atmosphere tomorrow at the Emirates and we want to produce those European nights.
“We know that we want to be playing yesterday and today, but this our reality at the moment and we have to accept it and it's part of the next step. We need to make the most out of it."
On the challenge of so many games, he added: “It's a test for the squad in terms of the numbers and the quality that you have.
“When you make changes, how much you notice that and at the same time how you are able to consistently perform at the highest level and demand from yourself that you keep doing it.
“It's not something that we did last year, we have to do it this year for different reasons, but I think everyone will have to do that after the World Cup especially with the schedule that we all have."
