Mohamed Elneny: 'Arsenal sent a strong message against Ostersunds'

Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny has said that the Gunners sent a "strong message" with their 3-0 Europa League defeat of Ostersunds on Thursday.

Full-back Nacho Monreal and Mesut Ozil netted either side of a Sotirios Papagiannopoulous own goal as Arsene Wenger's men secured three away goals to take back to the Emirates next Thursday.

Elneny said that his side are focused on winning the Europa League as a backup option for failing to make the Premier League's top four.

"To win away from home by a three-goal margin sends out a strong message to other teams in this competition," the 25-year-old told beIN Sports. "We hope to win the Europa League title in order to qualify for next season's Champions League.

"That's only in case we don't get a top-four spot in the league this season. One of the main reasons we are really focused on winning the Europa League title is to make up for the Premier League title if we're not able to win it."

Arsenal currently sit eight points adrift of the Champions League qualification places in the Premier League table.