Seven games remain for Arsenal in the Premier League as manager Mikel Arteta refuses to put all his eggs in one basket.
Arteta told reporters ahead of Sunday's match against Fulham that he has always followed that advice from his father, and is the main reason why he will field a strong line-up when Scott Parker's side arrive in north London this weekend.
The Gunners are ten points behind fourth-placed West Ham with a game hand - and have to rely on the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton slipping up in order to qualify for Europe directly via the Premier League.
Arsenal are two games away from the Europa League final with former head coach Unai Emery and his Villarreal side hoping to cause a shock, but Arteta remains fully focused on the remaining league games before looking ahead to those European ties.
"It has an effect because it is a real challenge playing Thursdays and Sundays it's a real challenge in terms of recovery, preparation and rotation," he said.
"It's been like that throughout the season and with all the other restrictions, injuries, Covid regulations, we have had even more.
"But now it is about winning football matches, at the end of the season you know you want to get a good run if you want to progress in the Premier League.
"The priority now is Sunday, forget about the semi-finals, we now have two big games to play at home and we have to do our best to win them because if we do, the season will start to look a little bit different."
Arteta will most likely make a few changes to freshen things up when the Cottagers visit Emirates Stadium.
Hector Bellerin could come in for Calum Chambers at right-back, while Rob Holding and Pablo Mari's solid partnership should continue in central defence.
The ever-reliant Granit Xhaka has filled in at left-back recently but he's better utilised in midfield and this might be the game to use Bukayo Saka as a left wing back instead.
If Xhaka starts alongside Thomas Partey in midfield, there remains the possibility that Willian will come back into the team. His stand-out performance since joining the Gunners was against Fulham on the opening day of the season.
Martin Odegaard (ankle) is still absent through injury which means Emile Smith Rowe will play in the no.10 role behind the in-form Alexandre Lacazette.
Arteta has been reluctant to start Gabriel Martinelli despite fans clamouring to see the Brazilian youngster in the team, but he could start on the left hand side on Sunday.
David Luiz (knee), Kieran Tierney (knee) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (illness) remain on the sidelines.
Predicted Arsenal XI vs Fulham: Leno, Bellerin, Holding, Mari, Saka, Xhaka, Partey, Willian, Martinelli, Smith Rowe, Lacazette.
