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Mikel Arteta: Arsenal UEL Exit 'Hurts Big Time,' EPL Top 4 Will Be 'Very Hard'

Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal's chances of qualifying for next season's UEFA Champions League are in serious doubt after the Gunners were knocked out of the UEFA Europa League by Olympiacos on Thursday.

Arsenal had won the away leg of their last-32 tie 1-0, but they slipped to a 2-1 defeat after extra time at home in the second leg to go out on away goals.

Arteta said:

"It hurts, big time. We had a lot of hope in this competition. It was a great way for us to be able to go to Europe, and it is a very beautiful competition to try to win.