Petr Cech in action against Everton (Getty)

Petr Cech has described Arsenal’s season as bittersweet after they improved on their points tally from last season yet finished three places below where they did last term.

The Gunners won 3-1 against Everton but with Liverpool and Man City winning their games the Gunners remained fifth and will play Europa League football next season.

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It is the first time Arsenal have failed to qualify for Europe’s elite competition for 20 years and not a scenario Cech was expecting when he joined the club from Chelsea.

‘In a way we improved by four points than last season. We have four more points and that’s obviously the way it went this season,’ he told the BBC.




‘We’re not even top four which is a bittersweet feeling because you could be happy we improved by four points but we can’t be happy that we are out of the top four and we will have to play the Europa League.’

Aaron Ramsey scored a brilliant goal to complete the win over Everton (Getty)

Cech, who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012, looked to find some positives from playing in the Europa League. In doing so he hinted that the Gunners could use the tournament to give youngsters a chance.

‘That’s the way it goes and I have to say you have to respect every competition because a European trophy is a European trophy and I think it will give everybody confidence and everybody experience, especially the young players if they feature in this.

‘And if you treat everything with respect then you can benefit from it and I hope that the team will stay together and that we will strengthen in the positions we need and be ready to go.’

Before Arsenal can think about next season however they have an FA Cup final against Chelsea next weekend to prepare for.

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