How Atalanta’s Europa League win could affect Arsenal’s Champions League draw next season… with Barcelona also set to be impacted
- Atalanta’s victory means that six Italian teams can qualify for the Champions League
- The conclusion of the Serie A season will determine which pot each team will be placed in
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Arsenal could dip into pot three for the Champions League draw after beating Atalanta in the Europa League final.
The Gunners will aim to return to Europe’s premier competition next season after reaching the quarter-finals this season before losing 3-2 on aggregate to Bayern Munich.
However, they will face a revamped format, which will involve a league stage rather than a group stage, with teams playing eight different opponents in a bid to qualify for the knockout stages.
Italy, which has already been awarded fifth place in the Champions League due to its UEFA coefficient score, could move up to sixth depending on the final standings in Serie A.
That’s thanks to Atalanta’s 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, which guaranteed Gian Piero Gasperini’s side a place in next season’s top competition.
Arsenal could fall into pot three of the Champions League draw after Atalanta’s victory in the Europa League
The Gunners are looking to impress again in Europe’s premier competition after reaching the quarter-finals this season
Atalanta, meanwhile, will have a say in how the pots develop after their win on Wednesday
Atalanta, who have won their last five games in Serie A, will finish at least fifth in the Italian league and if they stay there, Roma, currently sixth in the table, will also earn a spot in the Champions League.
The new Europa League champions are two points behind Juventus and Bologna in the table and could finish in third place. They also have a game in hand on both sides, putting them in pole position for exactly that.
If they finish higher than fifth, Roma will play in the Europa League.
Roma’s situation will have a direct impact on Arsenal, due to the Gunners’ six-year absence from the Champions League before this season.
Daniele De Rossi’s side would move into the top seeding group for the Champions League if they qualified, due to their five-year coefficient score.
Roma’s qualification would put Barcelona in pot two and Arsenal in pot three for the league stage draw, with the teams playing two opponents from each pot.
Atalanta’s match, which is against Fiorentina, will be played after the last game of the season, leaving Roma eagerly awaiting their fate.
Due to the new format, the draw would not be more difficult for Mikel Arteta’s side, although it could make things more difficult for their opponents, eight of whom will be awarded second place in the Premier League.
Clubs cannot play against teams from their own country in the competition phase, meaning Arsenal cannot play against Manchester City, Liverpool or Aston Villa.
Roma is eagerly waiting to see whether they will play Champions League football
If Roma qualify, Barcelona will go to pot two for the draw, instead of pot one
The new format for the Champions League will see 36 teams qualify for the competition instead of the usual 32, with both Italy and Germany earning extra places due to the increase in the number of teams.
The teams involved will play eight matches, four at home and four away, with the top eight teams automatically qualifying for the last sixteen.
Those seeded between ninth and 24th will face off in a two-legged play-off match, with the remaining sides eliminated.
