Arsenal will need to sacrifice their hopes of winning the Europa League this season, to focus their attention on securing the Premier League title ahead of Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta's side currently sit two points clear at the top of the standings with a game in hand over City, who themselves faltered to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday.
Having topped their group before the turn of the year, the Gunners themselves avoided a knockout play-off round tie involving the eight runners-up and the eight teams that transferred over from the Champions League - including Barcelona, Manchester United and Juventus - after failing to secure a top-two finish.
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Barcelona and Man United go head-to-head in the pick of the play-off ties on Thursday, with Arsenal set to learn their round of 16 draw opponents on Friday afternoon.
However, former Arsenal midfielder turned Sky pundit Paul Merson, believes Arteta will need to make a huge decision and potentially sacrifice success in the Europa League in order to give Arsenal their best chance of winning their first Premier League title since 2004.
Speaking in his column for Sky Sports, Merson said: "I go with Arsenal to win it still. I've said that before. When push comes to shove I think Manchester City have to win the Champions League - surely they haven't bought in Erling Haaland to win the Premier League for the fourth time in five years. They'll take their eye off it.
"Arsenal will be in a situation soon where they have to make a decision, do they go for the league or have a run at the Europa League. They haven't won a European trophy since 1993. You see how quickly football changes - people said last week after the City loss that Arsenal had ruined it. Now everything is rosy again."
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