Arsenal: 3 reasons to sign Philippe Coutinho on loan

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LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal looks dejected after his team concede a second goal during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Copa/Getty Images) /

1. He can be the difference between Champions League and not

While I have spoken at length about the importance of Arsenal planning for the long-term under Arteta, there is a vital hurdle that the team must clear before any dreams of major success down the road can even be conceived: Champions League football.

As analysis from Swiss Ramble outlines, Arsenal earned £34 million from reaching the Europa League final last year. He estimates that they will receive £15 million next year after they were dumped out of the competition by Olympiakos at the Round of 32 stage in February.

In comparison, Manchester United and Manchester City earned £82 million each for reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Liverpool won the competition and earned £98 million, almost triple Arsenal’s European income, while Spurs, who lost in the final to Liverpool, earned £90 million. Arsenal would earn roughly £60 million more if they reached the same stage in the Champions League as they did the Europa League.

dark. Next. Arsenal: 3 reasons to execute youth experiment next season

If Coutinho is the difference between Champions League football and no Champions League football — and given the upgrade he would provide a central midfield that has been nonexistent in the goals and assists department, he just might be — he is a smart investment to help kickstart the Arteta rebuild. It is not a long-term move, admittedly, but it might be a necessary short-term one.

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