Arsenal will be playing in the Champions League next season for the first time since they last tasted the tournament in the 2016/17 season.
The order, indeed, is by sealing a top-four finish in the Premier League campaign.
And because Arsenal are currently topping the Premier League table having 75 points, Arteta’s side have now achieved their target of playing Champions League football again after being absent from the tournament since 2017.
How Arsenal Lost Their Place in the Champions League
The North London club were once regular at the Champions League tournament, reaching the final in 2006, but finishing in the top-four has been impossible of late.
There was a time when Champions League competition without the Gunners being involved was almost unimaginable, with legendary coach Arsene Wenger making Arsenal regular guests in European football’s elite league.
Between 1998 and 2017, the former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger delivered a record-setting run of 19 successive qualifications for elite continental competition, with the red and white outfits making their way to a first final in 2006.
However, things started going wayward, though, towards the end of the French tactician’s stints, and Arsenal have been unable to qualify for the Champions League competition.
How long has it been since the Gunners’ top-four finish was last secured?
Arsene Wenger led Arsenal to two quarter-finals and one semi-final between 2008 and 2010, but Champions League adventures became unreachable with a sequence of seven consecutive defeats in the last 16.
The most recent of those was when Bayern Munich shoved painful last memories for the Gunners among the European elite clubs, annihilating Arsenal in 2016/17, with back-to-back 5-1 beatings, an aggregate of 10-2.
Arsenal could only get a fifth-place finish in the Premier League that season and have not returned to the top four since, with Wenger bidding the club farewell on his 22-year reign in 2018.
Arsenal v Manchester City Premier League title tussle
Mikel Arteta is building something fascinating at the Emirates Stadium, with the Gunners currently occupying the top of the Premier League.
Arsenal are leading Manchester City with five points with City having played two matches less.
However, Manchester City are likely to lose the Premier League title to Arsenal despite the Gunners’ recent draws that have cost them some points.
While tons of twists and turns are expected before the league season reaches its climax, Manchester City are likely to forfeit the Premier League title to Arsenal with Guardiola having his focus divided.
Manchester City are currently in the Champions League tournament, they have FA final clash to prepare for against tough rival Manchester United and the Cityzens are also vying for the Premier League title.
These massive burdens could wear out Guardiola’s winning squad, thereby handing Arsenal, who have only the Premier League campaign to concentrate on the chance to outplay them.
What’s your take on Arsenal’s Champions League qualification and their dream of winning the Premier League title this season? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments box.
