Chelsea vs Arsenal: Granit Xhaka says Premier League should get six places in the Champions League

For the first time, this season's Champions League and Europa League finals will be contested by teams from the same country

Mark Mann-Bryans
Sunday 12 May 2019 09:28 BST
Comments
Unai Emery praises Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as Arsenal reach Europa League final

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka believes the Premier League's top six clubs would all be at home in the Champions League.

For the first time, this season's Champions League and Europa League finals will be contested by teams from the same country as England dominates Uefa's continental competitions.

Liverpool and Tottenham both secured memorable second-leg comebacks to set-up the first all-English Champions League final since 2008.

Meanwhile, Xhaka's Arsenal will meet Chelsea in Baku after the Gunners eased past Valencia and their London rivals progressed with a penalty shoot-out win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

With Manchester City favourites to retain the Premier League and Manchester United, although finishing the season with a whimper, also showing they can mix it with Europe's best after turning around their Champions League round of 16 tie with Paris Saint-Germain, Xhaka feels all could cut it in the competition.

"Every team that can get to a final is strong enough so, we know Chelsea, we play a lot against them," he said.

"Four teams in the final shows everyone what a league the Premier League is and we hope we are ready for the final.

"You should have to go for the first six from the Premier League into the Champions League, so strong is the league.

"It is only four teams, four teams in the final now and so we can be proud."

Unai Emery's Arsenal need to win the Europa League to seal a return to the Champions League as their top-four ambitions were all-but ended with a disappointing home draw against Brighton last week.

The Spaniard, appointed as Arsene Wenger's successor last year, lifted the trophy three seasons in a row as manger of Sevilla and now Xhaka wants to add silverware to Emery's first campaign in England.

"Of course, every trophy and every title is important," he said.

Arsenal are through to the Europa League final
Arsenal are through to the Europa League final (Getty)

"It is important if you take the title here and go to the Champions League. Of course we want to be in the Champions League through the Premier League but that is the past and we have to look forward now and we will see in three weeks."

With both Arsenal and Chelsea having to travel to Baku for the final on May 29, the journey for plenty of fans will be a long one - if they are lucky enough to land a ticket.

Uefa have only issued around 6,000 tickets per club but Xhaka insists the players have to put everything to one side and worry only about bringing the trophy back to the Emirates Stadium.

"We can't change anything" added the Switzerland international.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

"It is not our job to say something about this - it is one game, it is a final and the better team win.

"I don't know when we (will) go to Baku but it is one game. It is not about Baku, or we play in Europe or somewhere else.

"You have to be ready in this 90 minutes and you have to be ready in this moment.

"I think history is nice - if you can be in the history of this amazing club it is something to make you proud but first we have to win."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in