Do you remember who won the Europa League in 2014? In 2015? And then again in 2016?
Yes Unai Emery’s Sevilla team did it. Thrice in a row. Defending, defending champions of the same trophy Arsenal are chasing under him this season.
The Gunners boss took a talented although certainly not favourites Sevilla team and won the same competition for three years. It was some special work from the Spanish professor. He has now been tasked with the same objective of winning the Europa League for Arsenal.
The stakes are even higher this time. For Arsenal in the Premier league it is compulsory to either get the top four or win the Europa League or find some way to shoehorn themselves into the Champions League.
Being a big club, it is a bare minimum expectation of every stakeholder which affects the club financially and image wise. Hence Emery knows what is at stake. Arsenal have now been all but ruled out of finishing in the top four and hence the Europa League remains the last legit way of entering the Champions League.
A win is compulsory and Emery’s experience of winning the title will now be crucial for the Gunners when they take on London rivals Chelsea.
Chelsea for their bit have ensured qualification for the Champions League and hence will not have so much at stake. However, having lost a final earlier this year to Manchester City, Maurizio Sarri and his men will be desperate to amend their ways and end the season with a trophy.
It sure promises to be a tasty final with so much at stake but will Emery’s experience prove to be the deciding factor in an otherwise evenly matched fixture?
SEE MORE: Arsenal Squad, Team, All Players 2018/19
