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Football London
Football London
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Richard Cusack & Josh Holland

Why Arsenal are not playing in Europa League as Man United, Barcelona and Juventus in play-offs

Arsenal remain in the hunt to win their first Premier League title since 2004 this season. However, there is also European success on the cards with the Gunners still in the UEFA Europa League.

Mikel Arteta's side topped their group in 2022, overcoming the challenge from PSV, Bodo/Glimt and FC Zurich. Winning five of their six games in the competition meant the Gunners avoided an extra two games to their hectic schedule.

The winners of each group are, in effect, given a bye into the last 16 of the competition, missing out on the possibility of facing one of the third-placed UEFA Champions League sides.

Read more: Oleksandr Zinchenko reveals his main Arsenal priority after Aston Villa win amid title hope

The first-leg of the play-off ties produced a number of entertaining clashes, with some of the bigger teams already facing an early exit. UEFA Conference League holders AS Roma fell to a 1-0 defeat to RB Salzburg, Xavi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen suffered a 3-2 home defeat to AS Monaco whilst PSV, who defeated Arsenal in the Netherlands in the group stage, were humbled 3-0 by Sevilla.

Barcelona and Manchester United played out a 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp last Thursday meaning this week's clash at Old Trafford has a lot resting on it. Italian giants Juventus also face the prospect of crashing out of Europe themselves after being held to a 1-1 draw by Nantes at the Allianz Stadium.

Given their involvement in the Premier League title race - Arsenal are two points clear of Man City - the Europa League is certainly not a priority for Arteta, who will want to concentrate on their title fight.

But, the Gunners will play at least two more fixtures in the competition upon the conclusion of the current round. The draw for the last 16 takes place on Friday February 24 (12pm GMT/7am EST), with the two-legged ties taking place on March 9 and 16.

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