Though Manchester United’s easy Europa League campaign was frowned upon by many owing to their easy run to the finals after the group stages, it was a soothing feeling to see an English club win a European tournament. While the Champions League has been mostly dominated by Spanish, German and Italian sides, Europa League has seen the likes of United and Chelsea lifting it in the past few years. And we aren’t expecting to see any different this season.
Despite the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea beefing up heavily in the summer, the easy nature of Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A means Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus can dominate the UCL yet again. And with Paris Saint-Germain’s latest addition of Neymar, it becomes doubly important for them to make a mark.
The difference in level between the first-tier and second-tier European tournament is huge and the likes of Arsenal and Everton should have it way easier there this time, and it will pretty much impact their domestic season too.
Arsenal and Everton are likely to face opponents much below their standards in the Europa League group stages and knockout rounds than what Liverpool, Chelsea, United and City will face in the same games. The likes of Arsene Wenger and Ronald Koeman can easily rotate their squad in the midweek fixtures while facing Gent or Vitesse or Lokomotiv Moscow than what Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola can do against Atletico Madrid, Napoli or Borussia Dortmund.
Of course, one has to play more games in the Europa League but the challenges are more minimal. Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Jeff Rene-Adelaide and Joe Willock or Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewis, Mason Holgate and Tom Davies will relish such challenges while the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Wayne Rooney, Davy Klaassen can rest.
While there are chances of big sides bottling it up in the Champions League group stages and getting demoted in the Europa League, it has been an unlikely occurrence. Although Arsenal could face some tough opponents in AC Milan, Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao, Lazio and Lyon, the quality in the squad should eventually see them past comfortably.
However, as was evident from United’s season last term, injuries could play a huge role in this Europa’s hectic schedule, which can leave sides over burnt and a huge squad depth will be needed. Thursday night football followed by games on Sundays isn’t something a side can do day in and day out and both Arsenal and Everton will be wary of it.
But they are the clubs that have a greater chance of lifting a European trophy than the Manchester twins, Spurs, Chelsea and Liverpool, who need a lot of things to go their way, to even fight in the final. Can Arsenal or Everton do it?
