Arsene Wenger says that this weekend's Premier League clash with West Ham is behind next week's Europa League semi final with Atletico Madrid in terms of priority.
The Gunners, who have no chance of qualifying via the league can still win passage into next season's Champions League if they win Europe's minor event, the first leg of which is scheduled to take place five days after the London derby this Sunday.And as a result the Arsenal boss insists that their league match against West Ham this weekend is effectively being used as a warm-up for Thursday night's Europa League semi final.
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"The Europa League is the priority as in the Premier League we don't have much to play go for," he said. "For us it is the biggest priority now.
"This weekend is preparation for Thursday. I rested some players after the CSKA Moscow match and they will need a game. It is not so much rest, but preparation."
Despite prioritising thie forthcoming derby below the Madrid tie, Wenger insists that a win is still important for Arsenal. "We want to finish in front of Burnley," he added.
"There are still some important games in the Premier League and we want to finish on a high."
West Ham have previously met Arsenal twice this season, with the only goal in 180 minutes being scored by Danny Welbeck in December's 1-0 Carabao Cup defeat at The Emirates.
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