Leno Targets Fifth Place With Arsenal

Ahead of the Premier League’s resumption next Wednesday, Arsenal lie ninth on the log, eight points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and five behind Manchester United in fifth.

Manchester City’s two-season ban from European competition, which they are appealing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport(CAS), could see the side who finishes fifth in the Premier League earn a place among Europe’s elite for next season’s Champions League.

Arsenal are desperate to take advantage of the development should Manchester City fail in their appeal, and make a return to UEFA’s premier club competition for the first time since the 2016/2017 season.

“I hope we can get into Europe. We’re not ruling out the Champions League places because we might get it with just fifth place, given Man City’s possible ban,” Leno told the German Football Association’s official website.

“We were in decent form before the break, I just hope we can get back to that when we return and end up in a European spot.”

Arsenal stepped up preparations for the top flight’s resumption with a 3-2 defeat to Brentford on Wednesday.

The Gunners will take on champions Manchester City when the Premier League resumes on June 17.

Leno added: “It’s a great way to start because we have to go full throttle right from the off - they’re an absolutely top team. It’ll be strange to play again after such a long time out and with such little time to prepare, but I’m optimistic about the rest of the season.”