Arteta opens up on Arsenal 'responsibility' amid growing pressure

The Gunners are at risk of going into next season with no European football whatsoever for the first time in over two decades.

Mikel Arteta insists European qualification is a ‘responsibility’ as fears over Arsenal failing to compete in Europe next season for the first time since 1996/96 grow.

The 13-time English champions sit down in 10th-place in the Premier League and 10 points adrift of a top-four spot. Europa League glory, therefore, is their best chance of returning to the Champions League next season.

But if Arteta’s men fail to win the competition, and stay where they are in the Premier League, there will be no European football whatsoever in 2021/22.

“It is not pressure – it is our responsibility,” said Arteta as quoted on the Mail. “The club we represent has high demands and that is the minimum we can ask for and we have to, over time, work to deliver those goals because it is what we get asked for.”

The Arsenal manager added: “We go back to what we used to say when those teams were in a position not to qualify for Europe, we are talking about similar things.

“It is true there are some really good examples of teams that were rebuilding their teams and it helped them in their project, but I would rather be in Europe.”

.@David_Ornstein on Arteta: "They are building the project around him. The technical Edu & the owners, the Kroenkes, they hope that with time & with transfer markets – plural – that Arteta will prove to be the right man for them" #Arsenal pic.twitter.com/Plzpg5FnFK

— Gurjit (@GurjitAFC) April 9, 2021

Failure to qualify for Europe, however, would be a major setback in Arteta’s rebuilding job at the Emirates. Not only would Arsenal lose valuable income, it may hinder their transfer plans.

As things stand, the Gunners are seven points behind their north London rivals Tottenham, who occupy sixth-place in the Premier League.

Asked what would happen if Arsenal fail to qualify for Europe, Arteta said: “That’s too many ifs.

“What if we qualify for Europe and win the Europa League? I prefer to think like that.”

Arsenal will visit Sheffield United at Bramall Lane for their next Premier League match on Sunday.