It's quite easy, this Champions League lark. Six years out of Europe's premier club competition and Arsenal have firmly established themselves as one of the teams to beat at this stage.
Six matches, four wins, one loss and one draw later, Mikel Arteta has pretty much walked into the knockout stages of the competition. What makes it more impressive is that there was serious banana skin potential in this group with seasoned continental pros Sevilla, home kings PSB and the exciting Lens all posing different challenges.
Arsenal are also not blessed with stacks of Champions League experience. Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah, Declan Rice and Ben White are all making their first appearances in the competition. Jorginho and Kai Havertz are the most senior having won the trophy in 2021 but that was with Chelsea. Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko have more bad memories than good ones from their time at Manchester City.
The wider impact couldn't be greater either. At a time whereby Arsenal's rivals are continuing to invest heavily - both in the title race and top four/five battle outside of that - there is a need to ensure financial stability. Having spent big again over the summer - though not as big as Chelsea - Arsenal do need to be careful with the added pressure of both domestic and European monetary punishments on show.
Arsenal owner Kroenke has transfer advantage over Liverpool after £xxm 'bonus'Despite not hitting top gear so far Arsenal are still more than in the conversation heading into Christmas and may well look to enhance their squad again in January to bring strength in depth. Last year they spent over £60million ($72m) on Trossard, Jorginho and Jakub Kiwior but with a defensive crisis, midfield shortage and striker question, it may well be winter recruitment that makes all the difference.
Crucially, when compared to their opponents this season, Arsenal have just taken a massive step in the right direction. Securing a Last-16 tie in the Champions earns Arsenal £8.29million ($10.4m) alone whilst just qualifying for the tournament secured £13.3million ($16.8m). Add that to the matchday results bonus and they have generated an extra £10.39million ($13.01m) as well.
That total could have been more had they beaten PSV on matchday six but is still a solid sum made from four wins - worth £2.4million ($3m) each - as well as the solitary draw - £799,000 ($1m). There is still plenty more to play for too.
Progressing to the quarter finals is generates £9.1million ($11.5m), the semis bring in £10.8million ($13.6m) more and even the losing finalist will get £13.3million ($16.8m). Compare that to the Europa League campaign last term and it is night and day.
After going out in the round-of-16 to Sporting CP Arsenal only got £6.8million ($8.6m). With Manchester United out of Europe entirely, Aston Villa in the Europa Conference League and Liverpool one up in the Europa League, the financial disparity between competitions could impact deals next month.
The Reds, for example, have only banked £5.84million ($7.3m) at this stage, though there is still the chance to raise that slightly on the last gameday of the group stages. Progression into the next round will also secure £2.4million ($3m) more. This, simply, is not a season changing amount of money compared to the £32million ($39m) that Arsenal have in their pockets at the same point.
If the title is to go to down to the wire with Liverpool involved then the fine margins of January and the access Arsenal look set to have might just swing things in their favour. Jurgen Klopp's men could bank on their own top four/five status though and go big themselves with the aim of securing their place this year, possibly offsetting any business they do.
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