How Arsenal can finish above Tottenham and avoid Conference League

If you ask an Arsenal fan if there is nothing left to play for and they respond with a nod, then they clearly haven’t been around the block. Finishing above Tottenham is the absolute bare necessity to sign off this miserable campaign with something enjoyable.

But there is a catch.

West Ham’s late win over West Brom acted as a suckerpunch, but only one that was administered after Arsenal repeatedly thumped themselves in the face before taking one final gasp for air. Throwing away Europa League qualification, the late victory over Crystal Palace presented some faint glimmer of hope.

The Hammers saw an end that, leaving a seventh placed finish the best that can be secured for Mikel Arteta’s side. Of course, due to Manchester City winning the Carabao Cup and Leicester and Chelsea certain to finish in the top five places, that means the coveted(?) UEFA Europa Conference League place for English participants falls to seventh place.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

How Arsenal can finish the 2020/21 Premier League season above Tottenham and still avoid the UEFA Europa Conference League

Whether or not that is something the club should desire, however, is a source of fan divide. On the one hand it’s still Europe, and on the other it acts merely as a distraction from Arteta having full preparation in between Premier League fixtures to focus solely on the division.

Calls for it being a prime opportunity for Arsenal to field some youngsters, the caveat is that the Under-23 side play matches on varying days throughout the season, many falling on Fridays. Europe Conference League fixtures will be on Thursdays.

It constitutes midweek travel to the far reaches of Europe, which as proven still against favourable opposition in this season’s Europa League, has not worked out well. Furthermore, whatever blend of players Arteta opts for might require a bigger overall first team squad. Without any European football, the amount of sales this summer needn’t be matched with as many incomings. A dire financial situation favours that.

Playing in the Europa League would have been the least Arsenal needed to secure from this season. The Europa Conference League isn’t what the club should be competing in.

That may be out of their hands. Beating Brighton is the task at hand and whatever follows the club will deal with. Whether that’s third division European football or not, Arteta’s side will play the cards they are dealt.

Relying on results going their way on Sunday is unavoidable. For any eventuality, what comes next is out of their hands. There is, however, the ‘dream’ scenario, if you like – it’s not a dream scenario in reflection of the season but this is the state of affairs – where Arsenal can finish above their rivals and still miss out on the UECL.

Here’s how:

• Arsenal beat Brighton at home
• Tottenham draw or lose to Leicester away
• Everton win away at Manchester City

In such an instance, Everton would finish seventh and qualify for the Europa Conference League, Arsenal would finish eighth and, crucially, above Tottenham in ninth.

A hypothetical situation. One over reliant on the Toffees pulling off a shock against the 2020/21 Premier League champions. This is the state of play though, and that may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Plenty will be after a spot in the qualifying rounds of the new third tier competition.

We can sit and ponder over this or that scenario, but in all cases, beating Brighton is what matters. Finishing above Tottenham is what matters and what may come after that, Arsenal have to swallow and deal with.

On to Sunday.