Arsenal face Champions League nightmare after Atalanta won the Europa League

Arsenal face the prospect of a daunting Champions League draw following Atalanta’s triumph in the Europa League final on Wednesday.

Atalanta, under the guidance of Gian Piero Gasperini, secured a 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, clinching their first significant trophy since 1963 and earning a place in next season’s elite European club competition.

Former Leicester and Everton forward Ademola Lookman was the star of the show, netting an impressive hat-trick. Both Italy and Germany had already been assured a fifth Champions League spot before the match due to their UEFA coefficient rating.

It means Tottenham, who failed to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League, will compete in the Europa League instead of Europe’s premier competition.

However, Atalanta’s victory could potentially grant Italy a staggering six places in the Champions League if they maintain their current position in the Serie A table. They sit fifth with one game left to go.

Roma, who are certain to finish sixth, would ascend to the Champions League as the fifth league qualifier. If Atalanta manage to surpass Bologna or Juventus on Serie A’s final day, securing third or fourth place, Roma would then participate in the Europa League.

However, if Roma secure a Champions League spot, they would move into the top seeding block due to their higher five-year coefficient score than Barcelona.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are expected to compete in the second seeding block alongside teams such as Juventus, Bayer Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid.

From the 2024/25 season, the Champions League is set to be expanded from 32 to 36 teams. Under the new league-style competition rules, every team will play two clubs from the four seeding pots.