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Arsenal EXCLUSIVE: Parlour predicts bold Emery decision that will make or break season
ARSENAL boss Unai Emery won’t make a decision on whether to focus on the Premier League or the Europa League until the New Year.
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That’s the view of Arsenal legend Ray Parlour.
Arsenal currently sit just outside the Champions League spots in fifth place having recorded seven wins from their opening 12 league matches.
In Europe, Arsenal have already booked their spot in the last-32 of the Europa League following their 0-0 draw with Sporting Lisbon last time out.
Despite the Gunners’ strong start to life under Emery, doubts remain over whether they will remain consistent over the course of the season to finish in the top four.
If I had to pick one I would say Europa League, to win that, because you win a trophy and then you're in the Champions League.
And with Emery vastly experienced in Europe, winning the Europa League with Sevilla three times, Parlour feels that could be the best route for the north London side to go down if they want to return to the Champions League.
However, he feels Emery won’t be making that decision now and will wait until the Europa League knockout stages to see where his side are at.
Arsenal reached the semi-finals of the Europa League under Arsene Wenger last year as the Frenchman opted to focus on the competition with the Gunners eventually finishing sixth in the Premier League.
“The ideal would obviously be Champions League football next season,” he told Express Sport.
“You've got two options, you can either go top four or obviously Europa League.
“The Europa League's quite a big trophy this year.
“If I had to pick one I would say Europa League, to win that, because you win a trophy and then you're in the Champions League.
“I think what will happen is Emery will assess the situation in February/March when it kicks off again and gets serious and if Arsenal do really well in the league still, it maybe in certain areas or if they’re sixth or seventh and it doesn't look like they're going to get top four, he can concentrate on Europa League.
“It'll be interesting to see.”
Arsenal return to action after the international break with a trip to Bournemouth on Sunday, November 25 (1.30pm).
Emery’s men are then travel to Vorskla Poltava on Thursday looking to extend their unbeaten run in Europe before hosting Tottenham in the north London derby three days later.