FOCUS ON WEST BROM

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said that his players should not be concentrating on the Champions League as of yet, but should only focus on winning the match against West Brom. Arsenal will be making the trip to West Brom on the final day of the season knowing that they can still missed out on the top three positions, which will guarantee automatic entry into the group stages of the Champions League. It is estimated that clubs will receive around £ 25 million just for playing in the group stages, while reaching the semifinals and being successful will almost double the financial advantage.

Arsenal looked to have thrown away their chance to finish in the top three with two matches remaining after suffering a 3-3 draw with Norwich last weekend. However, they were like because Tottenham and Newcastle failed to take advantage of this situation. Tottenham only managed a draw against relegation threatened Aston Villa, while Newcastle were defeated by title chasing Manchester City at St James’s Park. It has now meant that finishing in the top three remains in the hands of Arsenal, but they are yet to win again without Mikel Arteta in the side. Speaking ahead of the West Brom match, Wenger has called for concentration from the side.

“We have a massive game in front of us, but I feel we are focused, switched on. I am confident we will do well. For us it is just to find the right mixture – to be focused, combative and relaxed, and especially be faithful to play our football like we want to. At the end of the day it will be down to playing well, no matter what is at stake. It is a fantastic opportunity for us, that of course we want to take,” said Wenger ahead of the match.