Arsenal face potential Champions League ‘group of death’ if results don’t go their way

Arsenal face a potential Champions League group of death if the remaining Premier League results do not go in their favour.

Arsenal have qualified for Europe’s elite competition for the first time since 2016.

Despite their heavy 4-1 defeat to Manchester City, Brighton’s 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest means they are mathematically unable to catch the Gunners.

While the Premier League title remains a distinct possibility for Mikel Arteta, the Spaniard will be relying heavily on Pep Guardiola to slip up.

The same can be said for their Champions League hopes, with results across Europe having major implications on their group.

How does the Champions League draw work?
UEFA uses a coefficient rating system to determine the seedings for each team, and in turn each group.

But Arsenal’s lack of appearances in the Champions League, as well as their failure to progress deep into the Europa League, could cost them.

The 32 teams who enter the group stages will be split into four pots of eight. Pot one consists of the reigning Champions League and Europa League winners, as well as the winners from the top six leagues across Europe.

According to UEFA’s website, Arsenal are ranked 23rd in the standings, two places below north London rivals Tottenham, meaning they would be in pot three if all 22 teams above them were to qualify.

However, Chelsea are out of the race. While Tottenham and Liverpool are likely to miss out on the top four, pushing Arteta’s side up the rankings.

If Arsenal were to win the league they would automatically become a top seeded team. However, a second place finish looks increasingly likely and could land them in a ‘group of death’ against some of Europe’s elite teams.

Nevertheless the Gunners should back themselves against the very best following a hugely impressive campaign in north London.