Europa League won’t be too bad for Arsenal – Cech

Arsenal goalkeeper, Petr Cech, has said playing in the Europa League next season would not be a disaster.

The Gunners will miss out on Champions League places even if they beat Everton on Sunday, if Liverpool defeat Middlesbrough and Manchester win at Watford.

Cech, who won the Europa League with Chelsea in 2013, feels the competition deserves respect, especially now that it offers the winners a Champions League place.

“A European trophy is a European trophy,” Cech told reporters after Tuesday’s 2-0 victory over relegated Sunderland.

“I have to say you want to have the Champions League one rather than the Europa League one but you can see more and more, big teams are treating the Europa League with respect because it is a European trophy.

“Now you can qualify for the Champions League too.

“I have to say it is a fantastic memory for myself to look at the [Europa League] medal. I only played in it once and was fortunate in one go to have won it.

“But obviously I would rather be in the Champions League, that is for sure. Let’s see what will happen.”