Mikel Arteta must pick his Arsenal players up after their defeat to PSG in the Champions League semi-final because a spot in next year's competition is still not secured
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07:00, 09 May 2025
(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s season will end without a trophy but after the disappointment of their Champions League semi-final defeat to Paris Saint Germain, Mikel Arteta must now find a way to pick his team back up and secure the remaining two points required to secure their place in Europe’s top competition next season.
While the Gunners have long looked assured of a third straight second place finish, they could still finish as low as sixth should results go against them in the next two weeks.
And with champions Liverpool to come on Sunday followed by fellow top-five hopefuls Newcastle, there is still a chance that things could get very, very nervy in north London between now and May 25.
If Arsenal can pick up two points from their games against Liverpool, Newcastle and Southampton, that will almost certainly be enough for Champions League qualification because their goal difference is presently 12 better than Newcastle and Chelsea, 21 better than Nottingham Forest and 27 better than Aston Villa.
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But if they pick up a point or less, that will open the door to all their rivals and with bottom of the table Saints not until the final day that increases the chances of nerves ramping up.
Aston Villa must in their three matches against Bournemouth, Tottenham and Man Utd to have any chance of finishing above the Gunners, and a point for Arsenal will mean Forest would also need to win their remaining three games to finish above them.
Nottingham Forest, who are on 61 points, and fifth-placed Chelsea, on 63 points play each other on the final day meaning only one of them can reach 70 points.
First up for Arsenal following the heartbreak of Paris will be Liverpool and Arteta last week admitted it hurt him "in the tummy" to see Arne Slot's side become "deserved" champions ahead of him.
PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 7: A dejected Mikel Arteta manager / head coach of Arsenal applauds the fans with his team at full time after being knock out during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal FC at Parc des Princes on May 7, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
“It was in my tummy, yeah," he said. "I understand that it's a team that is being more consistent and it has a lot of the ingredients that you need to win it, but it's very painful, yeah.
“My motivations are much more focused in other aspects than that one but it hurts to watch it, that's for sure. They've done it in a manner, in a way, that has given no chance to the others.
“You have to congratulate that as well and you have to accept that there are reasons why you haven't been able to achieve it and try to improve.”
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