Arsene Wenger has stressed the importance of avoiding a UEFA Champions League play-off spot as Arsenal visit Manchester United in the Premier League.
Wenger's men travel to Old Trafford on Sunday knowing that a first away league win at United since 2006 will see them secure a top-three finish ahead of Louis van Gaal's side.
Arsenal, who will take heart from triumphing 2-1 at United in the FA Cup in March, have contested a play-off in seven of their last nine Champions League campaigns and squeaked through 1-0 on aggregate against Besiktas at the start of 2014-15.
And Wenger said: "It's very important for your season preparations to not have that kind of stress [about the Champions League qualifier] over your head from the first day you start again - it's vital.
"The consequences are always dramatic if you don't qualify.
"What is even more important now is that the international competitions force you most of the time to start the new season without your players.
"You cannot give them a long enough rest when they have played international games. You know that in England we have no break in the winter. That's sometimes difficult to deal with."
Only a huge swing in goal difference can see United miss out on the top four due to their six-point advantage over Liverpool with two games left and Van Gaal's men appear well set to challenge for the title next season following the signing of striker Memphis Depay last week.
Earlier this week, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward stated he was satisfied with United's season and expects more progress in 2015-16.
Van Gaal said: "I and the board said the goal was to get in the first four positions and we have reached that two games before the end of the season, it's not bad I think.
"But it's also dependable on how we can make a balance in our selection. It's not good that I have had to change positions of players because players are injured."
