Arsenal's Champions League failure will haunt them for a DECADE

Paul Macdonald

Updated: 22 May 2022 18:18 BST
3 min read

Arsenal fans are well aware that their side's failure to qualify for the Champions League this season is something that will prove damaging - even more so considering it was their city rivals, Tottenham, who beat them to the punch.

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But the depth of the disaster is still to play out. Arsenal had everything set up in their favour this season but were still unable to capitalise, and that's what will take so long to recover from.

This team had in excess of £150m spent on it to address all areas of squad depth. Ben White cost £50m from Brighton. Martin Odegaard cost £35m, while significant sums were also spent on Aaron Ramsdale, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares.

Arsenal: Transfer INS/OUTS in 2021/22

Arteta has been given all the backing he could possibly have asked for, and yet they haven't been able to convert that into enough wins.

Furthermore, Arsenal had no European football this season. No trekking across Europe to then prepare for the game on the weekend. Arteta has, in the main, had an entire week to prepare his team for each match, and has been found wanting.

They had no Europe, weak opponents and a massive transfer spend. Next summer, none of these things apply.

- FootballTransfers

And there's no denying that Tottenham have been extremely vulnerable at times. They have stumbled over the line in many respects, and with the abysmal form of Manchester United this season, this felt like it was the chance. But next season, none of these things apply.

Manchester United, Tottenham, Newcastle will strengthen

They will be in the Europa League. Manchester United should, theoretically, be stronger. Tottenham will strengthen with the guaranteed Champions League revenue. Newcastle United, with their new owners, will undoubtedly add big signings.

In fairness to Arteta and Arsenal, perhaps top four wasn't necessarily the prime target at the start of the season. They have, in some ways, took a step forward in that respect. They recorded 61 points last season and 69 this. The team is going in the right direction and seem to have an identity for the first time since, arguably, Arsene Wenger moved on.

But never will the stars align so easily for them again. A potential windfall of £50m for Champions League qualification would have helped to strengthen them further and move the squad forward. But that is now gone, too.

Will the board double down on the spending and keep funding a squad rebuild? After all, Alexandre Lacazette is out of contract and Eddie Nketiah is stalling on committing his future to the club. The need for a forward, as well as other positions, is obvious.

So it's a big moment for Arsenal. This could have been the day where there future under Arteta is mapped out. Instead, it feels like one of the most hollow victories the Emirates will have ever seen.