Rob Holding has made two first-team appearances for Arsenal since returning from a serious knee injury (Picture: Getty)

Rob Holding insists Arsenal are ‘more than capable’ of finishing in the top four, but admits he would rather win the Europa League if he had to choose between the two this season.

The Gunners have a 100 per cent record in Europe this term after comfortable victories over Eintracht Frankfurt and Standard Liege and will look to tighten their grip on Group F when they face Portuguese outfit Vitoria on Thursday evening.

Arsenal’s Premier League campaign has not been quite so convincing, though, with Unai Emery’s side sitting fifth in the table after four wins from their opening nine matches.



And while Arsenal fluffed their chance to go third in the table as they fell to a dismal 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United on Monday night, Holding remains upbeat about their top-four chances.


Arsenal were defeated at Sheffield United on Monday evening (Picture: Getty)

‘Top four is more than within our capability,’ the central defender said ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Vitoria.

‘I want to win the Europa League first and foremost. We got to the final last year but I was injured and I didn’t get to play in it.

‘Top four and a Europa League trophy would be a brilliant way to end it.’

Holding brushed off the recent criticism aimed at Arsenal by Patrice Evra who labelled them ‘babies’ in the wake of their defeat at Bramall Lane.

‘What he says doesn’t affect me personally. I know what I am and how I like to play,’ the centre-back said.

‘He’s got his opinion. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

‘Just as a group of players we knew it would be a fight.

‘We made sure everyone knows that in the changing room. We know how they’re going to play.’

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