Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea have received a massive boost in their bid to secure a Champions League place after it was confirmed that the Premier League will be awarded FIVE spots for next season’s competition.
Arsenal‘s 1-0 victory over Sporting CP on Tuesday has guaranteed the Premier League an additional place, with the top five clubs earning automatic qualification for the Champions League in 2026/27.
As things stand, that means Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool would lock in Champions League football next season. Chelsea occupy sixth position and remain firmly in contention, while Brentford (seventh) and Everton (eighth) are amongst the other sides that could mount a late challenge.
Prior to Arsenal’s visit to Sporting, just a single draw was required for the Premier League to secure the additional berth. With Liverpool in action at Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday and Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace all featuring on Thursday, there was every likelihood that the extra place would be confirmed this week.
And Arsenal have now clinched it for the Premier League with a 1-0 triumph over Sporting in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
The Gunners made the journey to the Jose Alvalade Stadium aiming to carry an advantage back to north London and plant one foot firmly in the semi-final of Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
While it was far from a vintage display, Mikel Arteta‘s side ultimately claimed a narrow victory as Kai Havertz struck in stoppage time. Gabriel Martinelli’s perfectly weighted pass found Havertz with room to spare inside the penalty area, and the German kept his nerve before coolly slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
The result leaves the Gunners well placed to book their spot in the semi-finals ahead of next Wednesday’s second leg at the Emirates Stadium. Should Arsenal progress, they will face either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in the last four later this month.