Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta believes this season’s Europa League knockout stages will be at a level ‘never seen before’ after the likes of Barcelona and Juventus dropped out of the Champions League.
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A 2-0 defeat to PSV in Eindhoven on Thursday evening means the Gunners have yet to wrap up top spot in their group and could still face a play-off tie in February against a Champions League drop-out.
Barcelona, Ajax and Atletico Madrid were all knocked out of Europe’s premier club competition on Wednesday night, while Juventus were dumped out a day earlier after losing to Benfica.
The likes of RB Salzburg, AC Milan and Sevilla could also join Arsenal in the Europa League depending on what happens in the final round of matches and Arteta knows his side will in all likelihood need to overcome a host of very accomplished teams to lift the trophy.