Arsenal winning EFL Cup would help rescue our season, says Robert Pires

Wembley wins: Arsene Wenger has a fine recent record at the national stadium
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Giuseppe Muro22 February 2018

Jose Mourinho viewed winning the League Cup and Europa League as success for Manchester United last season — and Arsene Wenger may share that judgement if Arsenal end a difficult campaign by securing two trophies and Champions League qualification.

Arsenal have again failed to challenge for the Premier League title this season and look set to finish outside the top four for a second year in a row. But the Gunners will win the Carabao Cup if they beat Manchester City in the final on Sunday and can also qualify for the Champions League by lifting the Europa League.

And Arsenal legend Robert Pires feels that would be success for Wenger this season.

Some fans think another year without the title represents failure but Pires said: “Manchester United is a good example for Arsenal. I agree with what Mourinho said last season.

“This season has been difficult for Arsenal when you see the team in sixth place and seven points behind Tottenham. But win against Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday and win the Europa League, and for me it will be a great season.

“The first objective for Arsene at the start of the season is the Premier League, but sometimes you have teams like Manchester City who are very difficult to follow.

“It is important for Arsenal to play in the Champions League again and if they win the Europa League they will go straight into the Champions League next season.

“The Europa League is not the Champions League but it is a very good competition and it is a great opportunity for Arsenal to win a trophy and get into the Champions League.”

Arsenal are in control of their Europa League last-32 tie against Ostersund after they won 3-0 in Sweden last week and Wenger will rest players in the second leg on Thursday.

Manchester City will be favourites on Sunday but Pires believes Arsenal can inflict another defeat on Pep Guardiola’s side after their FA Cup exit at Wigan on Monday.

And the 44-year-old, who is still a regular presence at Arsenal and often trains with the team, feels they will also challenge Atletico Madrid for the Europa League.

“Of course they can beat City,” said Pires. “When you look at the team on paper, Arsenal can beat all the teams. They beat Chelsea in the semis and why not Manchester City in the final?

January spree: Wenger brought in Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan last month
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“Arsene has done a lot to win the Europa League, he spent a lot of money on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and he swapped Alexis Sanchez for Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Arsene knows how important it is and all the players know.

“I am very close to the players and talk with them. I say, ‘the most important thing is to fight until the end’. Of course now it will be very difficult to finish in the top four but that is why I repeat the Europa League is very important for the club.”

Asked why Arsenal have struggled in the Premier League this season, Pires replied: “Even Arsene does not know. He tried to build a good team to be competitive in the Premier League but the Premier League is very difficult.

“But I have a good feeling when I see Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil, even Alexandre Lacazette and Danny Welbeck. All of them can play and they can help Arsenal.”

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