Arsene Wenger wary of Arsenal's future being damaged as Europa League glory offers perfect end to Gunners 'love story'

James Olley2 May 2018

Arsene Wenger claims he is seeking the perfect end to his "love story" with Arsenal by winning the Europa League, but admits the club’s future is on the line.

Atletico Madrid hold the upper hand ahead of tomorrow night’s semi-final, second leg here in Spain having drawn 1-1 in London last week.

The 68-year-old will bow out after 22 years in charge this summer and is desperate to do so having secured his first European trophy and ensured his successor will begin next season with Champions League football.

"At the minute I think I would like to finish well my job," he said. "I believe a man has to give his best as long as he is somewhere, with all my commitment and energy I would like to walk out of Arsenal one day and think until the last day I focused only on Arsenal.

In Pictures | Arsene Wenger's 22 years at Arsenal

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"When my job is finished at Arsenal I will see where I go from there but I want to finish this love story well.

"It is a very, very big game for us because the future of Arsenal is not exactly the same if we qualify for the Champions League or not."

Wenger also confirmed David Ospina will start in goal and admitted he is wary of the threat Diego Costa could pose Arsenal. Costa scored three goals in six games against the Gunners for Chelsea and is set to start after returning from a thigh problem.

"In history, he has shown he can make the differences, Costa," said Wenger. "He played in England and was very successful.

"It is our job to keep him quiet. Maybe the way to keep him quiet is to not to play too much in our half and to play more in the half of Atletico Madrid."

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