Arsenal must prioritise Champions League to become elite club, says Arteta

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal must make the Champions League a priority if they want to be considered an elite club.

The Gunners have not played in Europe's premier club competition since 2017 and have not won a trophy since the FA Cup in 2017.

Arteta, who was appointed Arsenal manager in December 2019, has overseen a significant improvement in the team's performances but is still waiting for his first piece of silverware.

The Spaniard believes that winning the Champions League is the next step for Arsenal if they want to be considered one of the best clubs in the world.

"We have to be realistic and understand where we are," Arteta said.

"We are not in the Champions League at the moment and we have to earn the right to be there.

"But that is our ambition, to be playing in the Champions League and competing for the biggest trophies.

"We have to make that a priority and we have to work hard to achieve it."

Arsenal are currently fifth in the Premier League, three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand.

The Gunners have a tough run of fixtures coming up, with games against Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea in the next few weeks.

But Arteta is confident that his team can overcome these challenges and achieve their goals.

"We know it will be difficult, but we are prepared for it," Arteta said.

"We have a good squad and we are confident in our ability.

"We just need to keep working hard and taking it one game at a time."