Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, on Tuesday stated that the club does not need Champions League qualification to land top players.
Arsenal’s hopes of a spot in Europe’s elite competition now depend on the teams above them.
Sixth-placed Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday left them six points behind Manchester city, albeit with a game in hand.
If Arsenal do not make top four, it would be the first time the London club has failed to qualify for the Champions League in more than two decades under Wenger.
“Maybe, it can impact if in a longer spell you are not in there. But at the moment we are not in that mode,” Wenger told reporters.
“Because we are in a strong financial position. The weight of a Champions League place is less big than it was in previous years. Negotiations-wise (for players) it will not have a huge impact.”
Wenger also expressed regrets that he had been unable to give striker Lucas Perez more games.
Perez has scored eight times in 21 appearances for Arsenal since joining in August.
“He is a top quality striker, I couldn’t give him the games he wants and deserves and I feel sorry for him,” Wenger said.
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