Arsenal could earn huge top four boost after Abramovich sanctions

Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned by the UK government following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. West London rivals to Arsenal, Chelsea have been plunged into limbo. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer club.

Not.

Chelsea’s billionaire owner has been described as a “pro-Kremlin oligarch”, someone who has been associated with Russian president Vladimir Putin for decades.

An official report from the UK government revealed that all of the 55-year-old’s assets, including Chelsea, will be frozen, leaving the club’s immediate future into doubt. The government have been granted a special licence known as “the Russia Regulations”, one that will last until May when there will be a review.

Arsenal could earn huge top four boost after Roman Abramovich sanctions could lead to Chelsea being deducted nine points in the Premier League

The club can still play games, although they can not sell any goods for profit. This means only season-ticket holders can attend matches, there will be no away fans for matches, no merchandise can be sold, and any sale of the club would only be able to go through if Abramovich hands over the selling to the government. He will receive no profit indirectly or directly.

Under this license the club can still pay salaries, but, crucially, there can be no renewing of contracts or transfer purchases. With players like Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christiansen all out of contract in the summer, they are set to walk away for free without any replacements coming in.

There is scope for an exodus too, as players who can’t be sold may legally challenge the validity of their contracts, although at this stage it’s hard to imagine what Chelsea will look like in a few days’ time, let alone May.

However, as per Rob Draper, when the sanctions are reviewed in May there is the possibility that Chelsea will end up in administration. If they are unable to pay their outstanding debts then will then be handed a nine point deduction in the Premier League.

It goes without saying that this would directly impact Arsenal and their hopes of finishing in the top four. Currently five points behind the Blues with one game in hand, nine points in a tight top four battle would have major implications on the season, for more than just Chelsea and Arsenal. That said, there is some ambiguity on whether it would come into effect for the following season or not. Either way, it obviously aids Arsenal.

How likely it is to occur remains to be seen. But with Chelsea’s debt and no way of making profit between now and what appears to be May, who knows.

Yet it’s the long-term impact that is most profound. Whoever the Blues’ new owners will be – and whenever they come in – are unlikely to be anything like Abramovich was. This was a man who pumped money into the club at an alarming rate, making them actually competitive from the mid-2000s onwards. That will all change. The blood money is gone. Chelsea’s morally tainted ‘glory’ era is coming to an end.

Sitting up in the red half of north London and watching this unfold is…well, like grating truffle on your breakfast cereal. Tuck in.