In the aftermath of a disappointing 2020-21 league campaign, the Gunners will be competing only on domestic fronts this term.
Arsenal not playing European football next season can be a “blessing in disguise” as it will allow them to focus all their energy on the Premier League, says Rob Holding.
Arsenal’s last season was disastrous, to say the least, as they endured the worst start to a Premier League campaign in nearly 50 years and ended up finishing outside the top-seven.
Mikel Arteta’s side also missed out on Europa Conference League qualification, which means they are heading into a season without European football for the first time in over two decades.
“We’ve got to be aiming to get back in the Champions League,” said Holding, reports The Guardian.
“With no Europe this season we’ve got no distractions or fixture congestion and can really focus on our Premier League games.”
Chelsea did not have European football to look forward to in 2016/17 which worked in their favor as they won the Premier League. Liverpool were also without Europe that season and managed to attain Champions League qualification.
“I think Liverpool did the same a few years ago, and Chelsea similarly when they won the league in Antonio Conte’s first year,” Holding added.
“So it can be a blessing in disguise in some aspects. We’ve just got to think of it that way and hit the ground running.”
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