Fans of Premier League clubs may need to reconsider their joy at Arsenal and Manchester United’s miserable midweek Champions League results.
Despite cruising to a 4-0 win at home against PSV Eindhoven on matchday one of the Champions League, Arsenal were beaten 2-1 in France by RC Lens on Tuesday night in their second game of the competition. There was also bitter disappointment for Manchester United who were beaten 3-2 at home by Galatasaray on the same night.
The results mean that Arsenal are now second in their group in what isn’t a hugely troubling situation for Mikel Arteta. But alarm bells are certainly ringing at Old Trafford as they sit bottom of Group A with two defeats, seeing their qualification hopes hanging in the balance already.
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While fans have been rejoicing at Tuesday’s results, there is real concern that all four of the current English sides' success in the competition this season could affect the rest of the league next season.
For the 2024/25 season, there is a possibility that five Premier League teams could qualify for the Champions League, seeing the team that finishes 5th in the league also dine at Europe’s top table. The Champions League is expanding from 32 teams to 36 teams next season, and two of those extra four places will be awarded to the two best performing countries in European competitions.
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Ranking points will be awarded to every club for every group stage and knockout stage game in the Champions League as well as the Europa League and Conference League. The collective points from all competing nations will then determine the two highest-ranking nations who will therefore be awarded an extra place.
After a difficult start for Arsenal – Manchester United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa have all lost their European games to date – before Brighton and Villa play their second group games on Thursday night – currently leaving England in 16th place in UEFA’s coefficient ranking for the 2023/24 season. Turkey and Belgium are the top two nations in the rankings so far according to The Athletic.
Wins on Wednesday night for Manchester City away at RB Leipzig and an incredible 4-1 win for Newcastle United at a rocking St James’ Park against PSG will have done the coefficient ranking good. West Ham and Liverpool, who would have qualified for the Champions League had the new ruling been implemented a year earlier, are also in action on Thursday evening following winning starts to their Europa League campaigns.
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