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Arsene Wenger's priority still Premier League ahead of Europa League last 32

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'Jose switched later': Arsene Wenger says the Europa League will not become the priority - as it did for Manchester United - yet

Arsene Wenger says his priority remains a top-four Premier League finish and he is not ready to follow Jose Mourinho in switching focus to the Europa League.

Robert Pires this week claimed Arsenal's only chance of qualifying for next season's Champions League is to win the Europa League, as Manchester United did last season.

Wenger's side will reach the last 16 if they avoid an upset following their 3-0 first-leg win over Ostersunds when the teams meet again at the Emirates on Thursday.

Image: Jose Mourinho won the Europa League with Manchester United last season

Mourinho began fielding a stronger Manchester United side as they progressed further into last season's competition and hopes of a top-four Premier League finish dwindled.

Arsenal are seven points behind fifth-placed Tottenham, but Wenger says he will not follow Mourinho's lead just yet.

Image: Jose Mourinho won the Europa League with Manchester United last season

"He [Mourinho] did that much later in the season, when they were in the semi-final, so we are not as far as that, we have to focus on the Premier League," said Wenger.

"It [the Europa League] is one of the priorities we have but there's a long way to go. We have to get through tomorrow and then see who we get if we get through. We will focus to do well but ideally we want to come back to the Champions League through the Premier League."

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is not permitted to play for Arsenal in the Europa League due to his former club Borussia Dortmund's involvement in the competition, while Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette are not fit to face Ostersunds.

Wenger had planned to play Ozil before the player came down with sickness, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan will play despite Arsenal's significant advantage heading into the second leg.

"I always try to find the team that can win the next game," said Wenger. "It's a good opportunity for players to show they have the quality to compete at this level. There's a fight for places in every position at the moment."

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