With Arsenal marooned in mid-table, hopes of a return to the Champions League via a top four finish look to have faded away for another season. A thoroughly inconsistent campaign has seen wins over Manchester United and Chelsea contrast with defeats to Burnley, Wolves and Aston Villa. All is not lost though; the Europa League presents a viable alternative back to Europe’s premier club competition and it should be prioritised as such.
Final Eight opponent
After a dramatic tie over Olympiacos, Arsenal have been handed a favourable tie against Slavia Prague in the next round. English clubs dominate the likely winners according to betting sites in South Africa and other countries such as Hollywood Bets, who make Mikel Arteta’s side second to favourites to win the Europa League at 6/1. Manchester United (7/2) are the market principles, as they face Granada in the quarter-finals.
The Czech side represents one of the more manageable opponents left in the Europa League, but the Gunners have to be cautious about Prague having knocked out Leicester City followed by Scottish champions Rangers. But beyond the Czech hurdle lies an exciting prospect of reuniting with Unai Emery as Arsenal’s half of the draw is occupied by Villarreal.
Unai Emery will face Dinamo Zagreb in the last eight and the winner will face Arsenal or Slavia Prague.
What’s your dream Europa League final? 💭 🏆#UELdraw | #UEL pic.twitter.com/PfiGPaOloH
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 19, 2021
European success should be the priority
While it’s rarely enjoyable for fans to think about sacrificing domestic results to improve their chances of European success, it looks more than justified for Arteta in 2021. As it stands, the Gunners would have to overcome a sizable deficit in just 12 games to finish inside the top four. There is a history with the Europa League too, with a semi-final appearance in 2018 and a runners-up finish a year later.
Arsenal should look to rotate their squad in league fixtures, saving players that require downtime for as long as they remain in contention for European glory. With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looking back to his best against Benfica, ensuring he and other key members can go into each midweek clash at their very best is a legitimate option to consider.
It also offers the opportunity for squad players to prove themselves. Alternatively, it’s a chance for the club to blood more youngsters from the academy as they’ve managed to do with Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe in recent seasons.
The Champions League remains a financial game changer
In a year where fans have barely if ever, attended English stadia, even the biggest Premier League clubs will be feeling the impact on their balance sheets. Each home game that goes past sees Arsenal lose over £1 million in matchday revenue. This hole in the finances makes securing a seat at Europe’s top table even more important.
While UEFA oversees both the Champions League and Europa League, financially, the two competitions aren’t in the same galaxy. The prestige and TV rights for the tournaments vary wildly and this has a significant impact on the finances of the clubs involved, or not involved as the case may be. The best illustration of this is when it comes to the prize money that’s paid out to each participant.
The winners of the Europa League this season will earn €8,500,000 (£7.3 million) for lifting the trophy. However, simply qualifying for the group stages of the Champions League is currently worth €15.250,000 (£13.2 million). Furthermore, progressing from your group and into the knockout stages is worth a further €9,500,000 (£8.24 million). While it appears that restrictions in the UK will allow the Emirates to be full again in the 2021/22 season.
