Arsenal: 3 ways no European football changes transfer strategy

1. It is about the starting XI

Ultimately, this comes down to a very simple concept: quality, not quantity. Arsenal have the opportunity to swap their depth for starting level players, something that needs to be done whether they have European football or not.

Beyond next season, that depth will again need to be replenished, of course, but for next season, the focus of the team turns towards building the best starting XI possible, not necessarily the most well-rounded squad.

As a result, if they can trade in £25 million for Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Rob Holding and Lucas Torreira and sign one £75 million player who will improve not just the squad but the starting XI, they absolutely should. Those are the types of moves they must now make.

The financial impact of having no European football will force Arsenal to be smarter in the transfer market. But by having fewer games to concern themselves with, it may allow them to focus on the starting XI, something that is desperately needed.