Granit Xhaka: 'Top four more important than Europa League'

Granit Xhaka has said that finishing in the top four is more important to Arsenal than winning the Europa League.

The Gunners have fallen short of both objectives in the last couple of seasons under both Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery, seeing them miss out on Champions League football.

The Frenchman's final campaign at the Emirates saw a semi-final exit in the Europa League and his successor was only able to go one better, losing in the final last season.

However, the continued failure to finish in the Premier League's top four is the more pressing issue, according to Swiss midfielder Xhaka.

"It was not the key for us to play in the Europa League," Xhaka told the Evening Standard.

"We want to go back to the Champions League and we were so close, but in the end, the small details didn't give us the Champions League.

"We have to be focused for the Europa League as well because two years ago we were in the semi-final, last year we were in the final and this year we want to win the title. It's an important title, a nice title, but we want to be back in the Champions League in the Premier League first. This is the most important thing. After, if you can win the Europa League, it would be great."

Arsenal get their Europa League campaign underway tonight as they face Eintracht Frankfurt away from home, before hosting newly-promoted Aston Villa in the Premier League.