How many points Arsenal need for Champions League qualification as two sides tipped to finish above Gunners

Evening Standard

·3. Mai 2025

How many points Arsenal need for Champions League qualification as two sides tipped to finish above Gunners

Gunners in danger of being dragged back into a battle for Champions League qualification

Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings

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Arsenal’s hopes of reaching this year’s Champions League final hang in the balance, and they still have work to do in order to qualify for the competition next season.

A 1-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final first leg on Tuesday night leaves the Gunners facing a big task at the Parc des Princes as anything less than victory will see them eliminated.

Before the trip to Paris, Arsenal are back in Premier League action this evening as they welcome Bournemouth to the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta has a big decision to make with regards to his team selection as he may want to rest the likes of Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice to ensure they are fresh for the second leg against PSG.

Though, that could be a risky move from the Arsenal manager for many reasons. One being that the Cherries are more than capable of leaving the Emirates with a result and the other is that Champions League qualification is far from certain.

Following a run of three draws in five Premier League games, the Gunners are looking nervously over their shoulders at Manchester City and Newcastle for the right to finish runners-up to recently crowned champions Liverpool.

In fact, Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal are in danger of slipping down to fourth.

“I still think Newcastle and Manchester City can still actually catch Arsenal,” Carragher told Sky Sports after Man City moved to within three points of the Gunners with a 1-0 win over Wolves on Friday night.

“I do, just with the situation Arsenal have with the Champions League, they have got Bournemouth at home which won’t be easy.

“Then they go to Anfield [next Sunday] and also have to play Newcastle as well. I think it goes right to the wire.”

As a result, with four league fixtures remaining, there is a scenario - albeit an unlikely one - where this season’s Champions League semi-finalists fail to return to European football’s top table next season if their patchy league form continues.

How many points do Arsenal need for Champions League qualification?

As things stand, a top five finish will be enough for Arsenal to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

London rivals Chelsea are currently fifth on 60 points and can reach a maximum of 72 were they to win all of their remaining games.

Arsenal have already accumulated 67 points so would require another six points (73) to be absolutely certain of Champions League qualification. That works out to be two wins.

Five points - one win and two draws - should also be enough given their superior goal difference.

Saturday, May 3, 2025 - Bournemouth (H)

Sunday, May 11, 2025 - Liverpool (A)

Sunday, May 18, 2025 - Newcastle (H)

Sunday, May 25, 2025 - Southampton (A)