Arsenal’s Champions League seed: The huge difference between winning Premier League and 2nd place would have

Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League are slipping away fast having seen their form slump over recent weeks. The Gunners remain top of the table but Manchester City have two games in-hand on them.

Mikel Arteta’s side drew three games in a row against Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton before taking on Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad Stadium last time out. However, they were thumped 4-1 and their chances of sealing the title have been dealt a big blow.

A second place finish now seems a more likely scenario with City now charging towards the treble. This would have big implications on their Champions League seed for next term.

If Arsenal won the league they would automatically become a top seeded team. However, if they were to be runners-up there is a high probability that they would be seeded in Pot 3 due to their current coefficient rating. This could potentially land them into a ‘group of death’ against some European greats but the Gunners will fancy their chances of competing with the best based on their impressive campaign.

What is a coefficient rating?

The coeffiecient rating is worked out as an average by dividing the number of points a team has picked up by the total number of clubs representing an association in that season’s club competitions. That number is then tallied with the results of the last four campaigns to work out the final rating.

As per the UEFA website, Arsenal are down in 23rd place and are two places lower than rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester City are at the top and are followed by Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid.

How does the Champions League draw work?

• The draw features 32 teams: 26 teams given direct entry to the group stage and the six winners of the play-off ties.
• The teams have been split into four seeding pots. Pot 1 consists of the holders, the UEFA Europa League winners and the champions of England, Italy, Germany, France, Portugal and Netherlands. Pots 2 to 4 were determined by the club coefficient rankings.
• In the case of associations with two representatives, clubs have been paired in order to split their matches between Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Where associations have three representatives, only two clubs will be paired. In the case of associations with four or five representatives, two pairings will be made. These pairings are to be based on TV audiences.
• No team can play a side from their own association. Any other restrictions will be announced ahead of the draw.

Where is the final held in 2024?

The 2024 Champions League final will be held at Wembley Stadium for the third time, having previously been held there in 2011 and 2013.

What next for Arsenal?

The Gunners are back in action next Tuesday at home to Chelsea as they look to return to winning ways. Frank Lampard has lost all five games in charge of the Blues since taking over from Graham Potter on a temporary basis.