Alex Iwobi insists Arsenal have TWO possible routes into Champions League football next season

Arsenal still have two possible routes into the Champions League, according to Alex Iwobi.

Forward Iwobi insists making the top four remains just as realistic target for the Gunners as winning the Europa League.

Arsene Wenger’s side are already eight points off the Champions League places and could be as many as 11 by the next time they play in the league.

Arsenal are in Carabao Cup final action next weekend while all their top four rivals play before they return to Premier League action on Thursday, March 1 against Manchester City, four days after they meet at Wembley.

Because of the gap between Arsenal and the top four lifting the Europa League looks their best hope of securing a Champions League place.

But Iwobi insisted: “No, we have to do our best in both competitions. That’s what we are trying to do: get top four and also win this competition. That’s the aim.”

Iwobi, 21, looks set to play a big part in Arsenal’s bid to get back into the Champions League.

He has been backed by Wenger since being pictured out partying the day before holders Arsenal’s embarrassing 4-2 FA Cup third round defeat at Championship Nottingham Forest.

Iwobi held up his hands to his mistake and was fined by Wenger.

But he has retained his manager’s faith and started seven of the last eight games and came off the bench in the other, the North London derby against Tottenham.

Asked about his recent run in the side, amid plenty of competition for attacking places at Arsenal, Iwobi said: “I’m still learning, I’m still young. I’m still learning from the lads like Mesut Ozil and Mkhitaryan. Every time I play, I am grateful.”

Iwobi helped Arsenal put one foot in the Europa League last-16 thanks to their 3-0 win at Swedish side Östersund.

Next week’s second leg at the Emirates should now be a formality and chance for Wenger to rest key players ahead of Sunday’s showdown against City when the season’s first piece of silverware will be up for grabs.

Iwobi said: “You could say that [we have one foot in the next round] but there is still a job to do and we have to do it at home. There is still half the tie to play.

“First [before the final] we have to focus on Thursday, take each game step by step. We have to prepare one more game before that.”