Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has defended the much-maligned Europa League as the race for a Champions League spot goes down to the wire.

The Gunners go into Sunday's final round of Premier League games knowing that a win would secure third spot - the lowest place that would guarantee a Champions League place next season.

Should Chelsea beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League final on May 19, fourth place would be entered into the Europa League instead of the usual reward of Europe's top competition.

However, Wenger believes that Wednesday's Europa League final proves that the competition is a good one.

"The Europa League final was a fantastic game. Atletico Madrid against Athletic Bilbao was fantastic to watch, much better than many Champions League games," Wenger told The Mirror.

"Personally, I don't feel it's a useless competition. What's a useless competition for you? For me, a good competition is when you see two good teams play a good game. I watched Bilbao and Atletico Madrid and I watched the whole game, didn't miss a second.

"You see a fantastic football team. That's what competition has to produce - fantastic football games. There are some boring Champions League games but of course you want to be in the Champions League."

Arsenal face a final day trip to West Bromwich Albion, while rivals Tottenham and Newcastle will play Fulham and Everton respectively.