Granit Xhaka thinks Arsenal have what it takes to compete for both the Premier League and the Europa League trophies this season.
As it stands, Arsenal sit top of the Premier League and in the last-16 of the Europa League, level 2-2 on aggregate with Sporting CP with the home leg still to come.
The Gunners are clearly in a position where they could compete for either trophy, but there’s always the risk that going for both ends up leaving you short and winning neither.
Granit Xhaka doesn’t believe that will happen to Arsenal, responding emphatically to questions about whether the side has the capacity to compete on both fronts.
“Absolutely,” Xhaka said. “You can see that every team is playing different against us. They are dropping a lot, sometimes they are pressing us as well.
“But this is what happens when you are top of the league – much more pressure than before, for sure. But in general, I think we are doing well. I think there is a good mentality in the team and let’s try to keep that.”
The next week will certainly test Arsenal, with three injuries at centre-forward adding to the issues presented by a hectic schedule.
If Mikel Arteta’s side can come through that period with a couple of good results in the league, as well as a Europa League win to progress to the quarter-finals, then the return of the injured trio will only boost what will already be a strong position in both competitions.
But it’s also not impossible the Gunners will go into the international break in second place and out of the Europa League. A lot is riding on the coming days.