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3 benefits of Arsenal returning to the Europa League next season

By Adam Schultz

DUBLIN, IRELAND - DECEMBER 10: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his teams first goal with Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal an Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Group B stage match between Dundalk FC and Arsenal FC at Aviva Stadium on December 10, 2020 in Dublin, Ireland. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
DUBLIN, IRELAND - DECEMBER 10: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his teams first goal with Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal an Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Group B stage match between Dundalk FC and Arsenal FC at Aviva Stadium on December 10, 2020 in Dublin, Ireland. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) /
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ISTANBUL, TURKEY – AUGUST 26: UEFA Champions League trophy is being displayed ahead of UEFA Champions League 21/22 group stage draw at Halic Congress Center in Istanbul, Turkey on August 26, 2021. (Photo by Sebnem Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /

3. Another gateway into the Champions League

One that perhaps gets overlooked by some. With other clubs in the Premier League sure to strengthen, the battle for the top-four will be even tighter than last season. It presents a significant challenge, especially considering that Arsenal now will play in an extra competition.

As we know, the winners of the Europa League punch their ticket into the Champions League for next season, like Eintracht Frankfurt did this previous season after they defeated Rangers in the final.

With so much pressure during the league season, Arsenal will still have a “get out of jail” card to qualify for the Champions League. While not ideal, as we would ideally like to finish inside the top four regardless, the fact that there are now two ways in which the club can qualify is a bonus.

As we saw in 2019/20, the final was a chance for the Gunners to claim a Champions League spot miraculously. After finishing eighth in the league table, there was still an opportunity to return to Europe’s premier club competition.

As we know, the club failed, and another eighth-place finish followed in 2020/21. While it is unconventional for Arsenal not to qualify for the Champions League by getting into the top four as we had become accustomed to under Arsene Wenger, now we are looking at any way to get back.

The Europa League provides the club with that opportunity.

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