Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said that playing in the UEFA Europa League is as important as playing in the Premier League as the team prepares to welcome Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt on Thursday.

Arsenal has had a fantastic start to the season as they sit top of the table in the Premier League with 21 points from eight games. Their only loss came in the 3-1 defeat to Manchester United.

However, the club has only played a single UEFA Europa League game as their second game in the competition against PSV was postponed due to the death of Queen Elizabeth the second.

Arteta revealed in the pre-match conference ahead of Thursday’s game and said that it was important for the Gunners to play the competition and take it seriously.

“It’s a competition that is really important for us; we know how important it is to be on top of that group; we have tough competition and the home advantage, so we have to use it. That’s why tomorrow’s game is really important for us. Playing in Europe is always great, and tomorrow I think we’re going to have a great atmosphere again at the Emirates.” Arteta said.

This season, Arsenal’s first game in the UEFA Europa League was the 2-1 win against Zurich in Switzerland. Their last game was a 3-1 win in the Premier League against North London rivals Tottenham.

Spurs were held to a 0-0 draw by Frankfurt in their last UEFA Champions League game on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Chelsea revived their chances of playing in the next round of the UEFA Champions League by securing a 3-0 victory over AC Milan at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues, before the game, were bottom of the table, having lost one and drawn one of their previous two UEFA Champions League games, including a 1-0 loss to Dynamo Zagreb in their opening game of the season and the 1-1 draw against RB Salzburg in their last game.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu