The Premier League title ultimately becoming the desired goal for Arsenal in the early stages of the 2023/24 season means many have overlooked other achievements this season. This time last year defeats to Tottenham and then Newcastle saw Arsenal surrender a top four position, however that capitulation was redeemed with several weeks of the 2022/23 campaign remaining.
Although defeat to title rivals Manchester City at the end of April saw the Gunners hopes of lifting silverware in May diminish, a loss for Brighton guaranteed Arsenal's place in the next edition of Europe's elite competition. With a qualification spot secured, attention for Arsenal now turns to the three potential teams they could be placed alongside in the group stages.
As per UEFA.com, how the Champions League draw is conducted is as follows: 'The teams will be split into four seeding pots. Pot 1 will consist of the holders, the UEFA Europa League winners and the champions of the six highest-ranked nations who did not qualify via one of the 2022/23 continental titles; Pots 2 to 4 will be determined by the club coefficient rankings.'
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This is where the Gunners are at a major disadvantage as they are currently ranked 23rd in the UEFA coefficient table. With the title now seemingly out of reach, pot 1 can be forgotten about, while even securing a place in Pot 2 looks set to be difficult as a number of things must go the Gunners way.
Firstly, Liverpool cannot finish in the top four because their higher ranking will move Arsenal into Pot 3. Jurgen Klopp's side sit fifth, one point off Manchester United and four points off Newcastle having played a game more than both teams.
While domestic finishes will affect Arsenal, the winners of both the Europa League and Champions League will also have a say. Manchester City meet Inter Milan in the Champions League final while Sevilla take on Roma in the Europa League final and it's now become very obvious which teams Arsenal will be supporting.
Roma and Sevilla being significantly outside of their league's European spots means either winning is bad news for the Gunners, however the same cannot be said for the Champions League final. As per Reddit user, Abhinav_4, with all winning scenarios presented, Inter securing a long-awaited European crown is the only way that Arsenal can secure a spot in Pot 2.
The Italian giants beat bitter rivals AC Milan with a 3-0 aggregate victory while City demolished holders Real Madrid with a 5-1 score line over both legs.
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