Arsenal must decide whether to take Europa League seriously - Petr Cech

Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech has insisted that the club must quickly underline the importance of the Europa League this term.

The Gunners will be plying their trade in the competition for the first time since its inauguration after they finished fifth in the Premier League standings last season.

The likes of Cech and Alexandre Lacazette have previous experience playing in the competition with the former having won it with Chelsea back in the 2012-13 season. The Blues were relegated to Europe's second competition following their surprise exit in the Champions League group stage, and they made it count by winning the trophy for the only time in their history.

Speaking to Standard Sport, Cech said: "You make your decision. At Chelsea, we were really disappointed to have been knocked of the group stage [of the Champions League] but we decided that for the first time and the last time, hopefully, we play in the Europa League so we want to win. So you decide what you want to do — either you take it seriously and you go to win it and you give yourself the chance to do it or you give yourself different priorities and see how it goes."

Arsene Wenger's side overcame their 4-0 thrashing by Liverpool prior to the international break with a comfortable 3-0 win at home against Bournemouth. As a result, the Frenchman could play some of his fringe players including David Ospina, Per Mertesacker, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere in the Europa League.

The manager could also involve Alexis Sanchez in the midweek clash against Koln despite receiver a chorus of boos during his substitute appearance against Bournemouth. The Chilean is still said to be lacking match fitness to the play the full 90 minutes, and Wenger will probably offer him a run-out versus Koln ahead of the London derby against Chelsea on September 16.