Press conference

Emery - Our options to reach the Champions League

Unai Emery

We had two avenues open to reach the Champions League when the season began, and as the campaign enters the second half, both possibilities are still very much alive.

We are currently just one point behind Manchester United in the race for the top four in the Premier League, but the winners of the Europa League also earn a place in the continent's premier club competition.

After comfortably progressing through the group stage, we are now in the last 32 of the Europa League, with Emery stating it remains a big priority of the team.

"Our target is clear," he said in the pre-match press conference in Minsk on Wednesday. "That is to play next year in the Champions League. But we know it's not easy and we have two ways now. One is Europa League, but to win the Europa League is very difficult. We know it's a very big challenge in the last 32 against BATE Borisov and then other matches.

"But in the Premier League also we are with the possibility to take this position to play in the Champions League next year. Our challenge is to only think of the next game and the next game is tomorrow."

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