Manchester United are out of the Champions League following a 2-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid - a result that hands Arsenal a major top-four boost in the process.
Renan Lodi's goal shortly before half-time proved to be the difference between the two clubs on the night at Old Trafford and over two legs as the La Liga outfit join Liverpool, Manchester City and rivals Real Madrid in the quarter-final stage.
What this result means is that the Red Devils' focus will shift towards ensuring they qualify for the competition next season and they have nine Premier League games remaining to overtake Arsenal.
READ MORE: Arsenal set for defining period amid Chelsea and Man Utd announcement
Although, United's exit has ensured the Gunners no longer have to worry about the potential nightmare scenario of finishing fourth but not be guaranteed a return to the Champions League for the 2022/23 campaign.
This was possible due to a change in UEFA regulations back in 2013 that states no more than five teams from the same league can compete in Europe's elite competition. As a result, if Man United had won the Champions League AND West Ham won the Europa League - and neither finished in the top four - then only the top three in the Premier League would qualify.
But thanks to Diego Simeone's side emerging victorious at the Theatre of Dreams, the Gunners' route back into the competition is crystal clear as the reward for finishing fourth in the Premier League will be a seat at Europe's top table next season.
United's exit is the latest top-four boost Arsenal have received over the past month. Five wins in a row coupled with their rivals dropping points has allowed them to take control of the race and they can pull further clear before players head off for international duty.
The first of Arsenal's three games in hand over Man United is on Wednesday night when they welcome Premier League title-chasing Liverpool to the Emirates Stadium before a trip to Aston Villa at the weekend.
Amid being backed by Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville to deal with the growing expectation to finish fourth, Mikel Arteta has called on his young side to cope with the pressure that comes with being favourites.
"Well, that’s the pressure of playing for this club, to be the best and we’re not there yet," the Spaniard told reporters ahead of the Liverpool clash. "If the objective is that, it’s not pressure, it has to be a motivation, a challenge and a clear understanding that the purpose to play for this club is only to be the best and what we’ve done so far means absolutely nothing and I think everybody has to be encouraged and empowered by the possibility to find ways to improve and get better."
Victory over Liverpool will see Arsenal open up a four-point gap over United, who are not back in action until the beginning of April as their trip to Anfield - which was scheduled for this weekend - has been rearranged due to the Reds' FA Cup quarter-final against Nottingham Forest.
