There is no doubt that Arsenal have improved significantly over the course of this season, but questions have arisen over their preparedness to return to the Champions League. With Arsenal free from the pressures of European football, many see them as favorites to finish the season in fourth place and with just one game left to play this season it is highly unlikely that will happen.
Arsenal have failed to secure Champions League football in the last five seasons, but the 21/22 season was the first in which the Gunners missed out on European football entirely, as they finished 8th at the end of the season.
After spending more money on transfers in the Premier League's 2024 summer transfer window, much was expected of the Gunners, who strengthened their squad and now had one less competitor to fear. However, the transfer strategy is in doubt as Edu Gaspar, Arsenal's technical director, has focused his efforts on signing some young, inexperienced players ahead of more experienced names. These names include Nuno Taveres, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Takehiro Tomiyasu, a player who is now one of Arsenal's top five Asian players.
The Gunners struggled at the start of the season, but as the season progressed, Arsenal bounced back with an unbeaten run, which saw them climb the Premier League table and finish fourth for most of the competition. They have maintained this position even after just a few games, which looks like progress for Arsenal fans.
South African betting providers have assessed the Gunners' chances of finishing in the top four at the end of the season, as Arsenal have given the team little chance of finishing last in the Champions League with several bookmakers in the country. However, that can no longer be said as Arsenal's chances of qualifying for the Champions League hang by a thread.
With this in mind, is it fair to say that Arsenal are not ready to return to European football's biggest competition? After a significant reinforcement of the squad and without the pressure of European competitions, it is very likely that Arsenal will not have qualified for the sixth consecutive season. Having only needed to win one of their last three Premier League games to qualify, they now rely on victory over a strengthened Everton, who are looking to secure another season of Premier League football after a comeback victory over Chrystal Palace secured , although it was necessary for Tottenham to lose to a Norwich team that had struggled all season.
Arsenal fans will be happy to have been guaranteed European football in the form of the Europa League. However, they will be disappointed to learn that their team came so close to securing a place in next season's Champions League. The fact that Arsenal were unable to qualify for the Champions League season and at the same time did not have to play in any European football with a reinforced squad is proof enough that Arsenal are not yet ready to participate in the biggest competition in football in Europe.
