Bournemouth’s thrilling 2-1 win over Arsenal on Saturday night has paved the way for a potentially historic scenario in next season’s European qualification race. Rapid goals from Dean Huijsen and Evanilson at the Emirates secured Bournemouth their first-ever league double over the Gunners.
For Arsenal, the defeat exposed a troubling trend, as their focus seems to have shifted toward the Champions League in hopes of clinching their first major European trophy, especially after Liverpool’s domestic resurgence. Arsenal have now dropped 21 points from winning positions in the 2024/25 Premier League season, equaling their lowest mark from the 2019/20 campaign.
With the season concluding on May 25, Arsenal will aim to avoid further slip-ups, particularly as they hold just a seven-point cushion over sixth-place Nottingham Forest, who also have a game in hand.
Arsenal’s Slide Could Pave Way for 7 English Clubs in the Champions League
To open the door for seven English teams in the Champions League, Arsenal would need a poor finish to their league campaign. Chelsea (5th) and Aston Villa (7th) trail them by seven points, while Manchester City and Newcastle are even closer. Although unlikely, Arsenal still risk falling out of the top five mathematically. Their upcoming matches against Liverpool and Newcastle will be pivotal.
Such a drop would mean missing out on an automatic Champions League place, even though Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the quarter-final first leg helped earn an extra UCL spot for English teams. If this rare scenario unfolds—and Arsenal or either Manchester United or Tottenham win the Europa League—the Premier League could send as many as seven teams to next season’s Champions League.
Arteta’s side can still qualify by winning the Champions League outright but must overturn a 1-0 first-leg loss to PSG. Meanwhile, both United and Spurs scored three goals each in their Europa League semi-final first legs, putting them in strong contention for an all-English final—potentially unlocking yet another UCL berth.
The record for most English teams in the Champions League currently stands at five, set when United won the 2016/17 Europa League. That could soon be surpassed, with six—or possibly even seven—Premier League clubs qualifying next season.