Arsenal handed welcome Champions League boost as Juventus get punished

23 May 2023 , 12:52

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Massimiliano Allegri's Juventus have been handed a ten-point deduction

Arsenal are set for an early Champions League boost, with Juventus' latest points deduction handing the Gunners a potentially better draw for their return to the competition.

Juventus have been deducted ten points for financial irregularities surrounding their transfer dealings, with an Italian court ruling that the punishment should be handed out to the Old Lady. A 15-point deduction had originally been handed out before being rescinded last month and the new deduction has been agreed..

Their new points total sees a slip from second place in Serie A to seventh, one place and a single point behind Jose Mourinho's Roma. While they are five points behind AC Milan in fourth, the chances of overcoming the deficit with two games to go is unlikely, leaving the Champions League beyond their reach should Milan gain a single point in their last two matches.

This provides an unlikely boost to Arsenal, with the Gunners' poor European record in recent years leaving them with a low coefficient ahead of next year's tournament being drawn later in the summer. They are now likely to be in pot two instead of pot three for the draw, with an easier group expected as a result.

Had Juve qualified, their superior coefficient would have left the Gunners in pot three, with the chances of being drawn in a group of death alongside expected pot two clubs such as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. The first pot is for league champions of the top six leagues as well as the Champions League holders and Europa League winners.

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The Gunners' recent record in Europe leaves them ranked 23rd in the coefficient table, leaving them a long way from the continent's elite. However, having led the way for the majority of the Premier League season, this ranking does not accurately reflect their current standing, with Chelsea and Tottenham ranked above them.

Arsenal will compete in the Champions league next season ((Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images))

Manchester United are also likely to take their place in pot two, with Champions League newcomers Newcastle United likely to be placed in pot four having been absent from Europe since 2013.

Arsenal have not qualified for the Champions League since 2017, with their place in the competition confirmed earlier this month. Manager Mikel Arteta praised the achievement, saying: "Not a lot of people were very optimistic that we had the ability to do that [Champions League qualification] at the start of the season, and we need to start recognising the good work that a lot of people have done to achieve that.

"The second thing - which I like the most - is that even achieving that with six games to go - something that hasn't happened in more than a decade at this club - that we are still not satisfied, still upset and we want more.

"We want the club to be consistently with the best, that's the mentality we need and that’s what I've loved most over the last few days."

Will Freeman