Here’s how Arsenal can still qualify for the Europa League

With the Gunners big win on Wednesday over Liverpool, Arsenal’s chances for qualifying for next season’s Europa League tournament are still alive.

Here are the UEFA guidelines for Europa League qualification in England:

In normal circumstances, three UEL places are given to English clubs who fulfill the following criteria: 

The fifth-placed team in the Premier League qualify for the group stage proper. (Currently Manchester United)
The winners of the FA Cup qualify for the group stage proper. (Arsenal is in the semifinals)
The EFL Cup winners qualify for the third qualifying round. (Manchester City won this season’s EFL Cup)

Where these qualifications changes…
a) If the FA Cup winners finish in the top five of the Premier League, their UEL group stage place will go to the next-highest ranked team not qualified for UEFA competitions in the Premier League.
b) If the EFL Cup winners (Man City) finish in the top five of the Premier League (or top six if (a) happens), their UEL third qualifying round place will go to the next-highest ranked team not qualified for UEFA competitions in the Premier League.

So, what does all of this mean?
Arsenal will automatically qualify for the UEL if they win the FA Cup, or, if they finish 5th, 6th or 7th in the PL.
However, a 6th or 7th place finish in the Premier League would require the Gunners to play additional UEL games just to get into the competitions’s group stages. We’re talking games played prior to the start of the PL season in September. As an example, last summer, Wolves played 4 qualifying games just to get into the UEL group stages.

That scenario is a tall order, especially since this season isn’t even finished.

Right now, the Gunners are in 9th place in the Premier League table, only 3 points behind Wolves in 6th, but 6 points, and a huge goal differential, behind Man United currently in 5th.

Not only is a European spot worth prestige for a club, qualifying for the UEL group stages is also a $3.7-million (USD) payday for the club.
Arsenal could surely use that cash in this summer’s transfer market.

Not only does the Gunners need to win their final two PL games, but they also need a lot help from other clubs, too.

So, there’s a lot at stake for the final two games of the PL season, but, if there’s a will, there’s a way!

Cheers, and stay healthy and safe!

Gunner1953