Arsenal: Putting the positives on missing out on Champions League

After Liverpool beat West Ham United on Sunday, Arsenal will likely miss out on Champions League football. Here are some positives if that happens.

After Arsenal overcame their hoodoo away at Stoke City for the Saturday evening kick-off, thanks to a brace from Olivier Giroud and an attacking masterclass from Alexis Sanchez, there was significant hope that they could, miraculously, haul their way back into the top four as they have hinted at in the past few weeks.

However, Liverpool’s four-goal dismantling of West Ham United just a day later quickly put a halt to the optimism, and with just a handful of games remaining, Arsenal are in need some rather remarkable and far-fetched results going their way.

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As such, plans, preparations and apprehensions are being made by fans, players and manager alike for the Gunners’ first season without Champions League since Arsene Wenger took the helm in 1996. It would be an extraordinary fall from grace, even with the ever-growing competition atop the Premier League, and, by most, is seen as a sign of degradation and stagnation of the football club.

However, there are positives to be drawn, as Nigel Pearson points out. When asked whether dropping out of the Champions League would have to be spun as a better chance to win the league the next season with the lesser amount of games, and thereby a greater opportunity to rest and rotate stars, ensuring that they are fresh throughout what is often a long and gruelling season, Pearson confirmed such a suggestion:

"“I think that’s how you look at it if you don’t get there. You put a positive spin on it. I think all the big clubs will be aspiring to get into the Champions League places for sure. Maybe that’s the way to look at it if it doesn’t happen. Always look at the positives!”"

And there is some truth in that. Both Chelsea and Leicester City won their respective league campaigns thanks to a lack of European football. They were able to play consistent starting XI’s each and every weekend, allowing the team to grow together and suffering less injuries.

Now, while the Europa League is still a competition that brings midweek games to the table, Wenger may rest many of his more established stars in these games, unlike what he would if it were the Champions League.

Next: Arsenal Vs Stoke City: 5 things we learned

Clearly, every competitive should and does want to play in the Champions League. But the despair that is being portrayed in missing out on Europe’s elite competition is perhaps a little overplayed. There is reason to look on the bright side. After all, Arsenal could win the league a year from now. Right?

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