Guglielmo Vicario is having none of Arsene Wenger’s talk about who deserves a Champions League place. The Italian has brushed off the former Arsenal manager’s opinion, making it clear that Tottenham Hotspur are playing by the rules.
Tottenham Hotspur are on the verge of doing something special this season – winning the UEFA Europa League.
For what has been a poor domestic campaign, should Tottenham go all the way in Europe, it would not only see the Lilywhites end their long trophy drought, but it would also see them return to Europe’s premier competition – the UEFA Champions League.
Indeed, Tottenham’s financial power would also be bolstered should they earn a spot in the UCL next season.
The top five in England are set to make the UCL, and should one of Manchester United or Tottenham win the Europa League, that would make it six spots for English sides.
Arsene Wenger is not best pleased with this, and Wenger stated earlier this week that he would prefer for the winners of the Europa League to remain in the Europa League next season.
He said: “No. They should qualify automatically for the Europa League but not necessarily for the Champions League. Especially when you are in the Premier League where already five teams qualify.”
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With Tottenham gearing up to face Bodo/Glimt in the second leg of their Europa League tie, having secured a 3-1 win in the first leg, Guglielmo Vicario was asked what he makes of Wenger’s recent comments.
The Italian shotstopper gave a clear and direct answer, stating that while everyone is entitled to their opinions, the rules are the rules.
He told football.london: “Everyone can have their thoughts on everything in life. I do not agree [with him] but it does not matter. They are the rules.”
Spurs must block out the noise and stay focused on the Europa League task
Indeed, if Spurs are to play in the Europa League final at San Mames, they would have to do their job against Bodo/Glimt in the return leg in Norway.
That being said, all of this seems to be outside noise that could distract the Spurs players from the task at hand. Tottenham are playing in a semi-final and need to be extra focused on the game and the competition at large.