‘We have to give the Europa League 100% respect’ Stephan Lichtsteiner wants European glory to steer Arsenal back to the Champions League
- Arsenal begin their Europa League group stage campaign on Thursday
- Gunners big favourites as they take on Vorskla Poltava at the Emirates Stadium
- Stephan Lichtsteiner wants Arsenal to compete for every trophy
- Europa League winners gain a place in the following season’s Champions League
Stephan Lichtsteiner says Tuesday night’s explosive start to the Champions League has whetted Arsenal’s appetite to reclaim their status in the competition.
Europe’s premier club cup got off to a brilliant start with a number of dramatic moments that spawned 21 goals from eight games.
Arsenal, however, are playing in the Europa League this season; getting their campaign underway against Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava on Thursday night.
Stephan Lichtsteiner claims Arsenal must respect all competitions they enter
And Lichtsteiner, who has vast Champions League experience with Juventus, says Tuesday’s action heightened the Gunners’ desire to make it back European football’s top table.
‘I am hungry to get back to the Champions League,’ said the Swiss.
‘But it is a long way and we have two chances – the Europa League and the Premier League. We want to try as I am sure we want to play Champions League next year.
The defender was speaking at a press conference along with manager Unai Emery
‘To come back to the glamour games you need to win first the other games. Now we are in the situation that we are playing Europa League and we will try to win that so hopefully next year we can speak about the Champions League.
‘One thing I learned with Juventus is to have respect for each competition. In the last four or five years with Juventus, we tried to play for all the titles, for all the trophies.
‘While the Italian Cup wasn’t that important beforehand, we started to play for it with the best team possible. I think in football you have to respect all the trophies.
Lichtsteiner is tracked by Emile Smith during training on Wednesday at London Colney
‘Of course the Champions League is a more glamorous title, but the Europa League is a really good chance for the team, for the club and all the players to win this nice trophy.
‘I think for that we have to respect all teams in all competitions to give all games 100 per cent.’ Meanwhile, manager Unai Emery has confirmed he will make changes from the team that started the win over Newcastle on Sunday.
‘Tomorrow we are going to change things to give players the opportunity to find minutes, to find confidence on the pitch and then maybe tomorrow’s players can play on Sunday too,’ said Emery.
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