Consistent Champions League Funds Can Take Arsenal To Next Level
Having previously competed in the Champions League in the 2016/17 campaign, Arsenal finally made their long-awaited return to Europe’s elite competition this season.
Set to return to the Champions League next term, the financial boost and the pulling power in the transfer market the Gunners will receive by consistently finishing in the Premier League’s top four can make the club a sustainable force in Europe once again.
Too Long In The Wilderness
When Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League by Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in 2017, few would have imagined it would not be until the 2023/24 season before the north London ouftit would be back in this prestigious competition. Under manager Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have come on leaps and bounds in recent years and are 7/2 in the Premier League betting odds to win the title this season. Finishing in second place in the English top flight standings last term, a return to the Champions League came as a significant boost for the Gunners.
Former manager Arsène Wenger brought about sustained Champions League qualification during his successful spell with Arsenal between 1996 and 2018. That consistency of income from the competition helped the Gunners become a real force in the English game and the club went on to win three Premier League titles during Wenger’s tenure. Missing out on the Champions League after the 2017/18 season, Wenger moved on from the Emirates, with Spaniard Unai Emery taking on the role in May 2018. Emery was unable to take the Gunners back to the elite competition, while his interim successor Freddie Ljungberg was not given the time to have any real influence on the team. Arteta took on the role in December 2019 at the Emirates and the club have been on the up since.
Arsenal Can Get Back Amongst European Giants
Having reached the final of the Champions League in 2006, Arsenal have been determined to get back to mixing it with the big clubs in the showpiece game. The Gunners suffered a 2-1 defeat to a star-studded Barcelona side in that 2006 final at the Stade de France, in what was a heartbreaking end to a tremendous European campaign for Wenger’s side. Regulars at that time in the knockout stages of the Champions League, the continent were fully aware of the quality Arsenal had at their disposal. The task for the Arteta and the club is to bring that level on consistency in Europe back.
Making a return to the Champions League has already seen the club boost their pulling power in the transfer market, with England midfielder Declan Rice a marquee signing last year. Expect more big names to come though the doors at the Emirates this summer, as Arsenal continue on their path to sustained success both on the field and financially of it.
After years in the Champions League wilderness, Arsenal are back and it’s exciting to see where this momentum built up in recent campaigns under Arteta takes the Gunners in the years to come.
