%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
And that's that. Arsenal's fans' worst nightmare became a reality on Wednesday night as their biggest rivals Tottenham beat Manchester United to win the Europa League and end a barren run of 17 years without a major trophy.
Placed 16th and 17th in the Premier League respectively, victory in Europe's second-tier competition was the only way for Man United and Spurs to secure continental football next season. It was, to the dismay of Gunners fans around the globe, Ange Postecoglou's side who prevailed.
While their bitter rivals winning a trophy is the last thing Gooners would have wanted to see, Spurs' victory and United's subsequent failure to snatch a spot in the Champions League or any form of European football could end up being a great help in Arsenal's attempts to sign one of the world's deadliest strikers this summer.
Spurs' Europa League win may help Arsenal's hunt for Gyokeres
In their hunt for a deadly goalscorer, Arsenal face a battle with Manchester United to steal the signature of Viktor Gyokeres, one of their main targets this summer. However, United's defeat in the Europa League final may hinder their hopes of bringing the sensational Swede to Old Trafford.
A reunion with former manager Ruben Amorim would have been appealing to Gyokeres, but his decision may now be swayed by the Manchester side's lack of European football. The possibility of playing in the Champions League often acts as a great persuader in transfer negotiations and while United had hoped to convince the striker with that, their failure to qualify presents the Gunners a good chance to strike a deal.
United are a huge club, but so are Arsenal and only one of them will be playing among Europe's elite next season. Nine times out of 10, a player will choose to sign for a side who can offer that and that should bode well for the Gunners in their attempts to sign Gyokeres.
Aside from the brilliant yet practically unattainable Alexander Isak, Gyokeres is the ideal striker signing for Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side. A deadly goalscorer with 53 goals in all competitions this season, he would be the prolific force the Gunners need to go the extra length and win their first Premier League in over 20 years.
Of course, Man United are not completely out of the race to sign Gyokeres and Arsenal will still have to compete with them to sign the Sweden international. However, the Gunners' ambitions will be significantly boosted now they boast a spot in the Champions League and their rivals do not.
As transfer season grows closer and closer, it is likely other clubs will join the race to sign Sporting's star man so Arteta, Andrea Berta and Co. will have to do whatever it takes to bring Gyokeres to north London. Regardless, they should now fancy themselves as the favourites to seal a deal and they may end up having rivals Tottenham to thank for that.