Would missing out on the Champions League be a disaster for Gunners?

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that he believes it would be a disaster if his club didn’t qualify for the Champions League this season.

Wenger told Sky Sports: “ For me it would be [a disaster]. Because I want to play with the best”

Written-off

The Gunners were written-off at the start of the season, after they lost the likes of midfielders Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas in the summer. They were seen as the most likely of the big boys to miss out on the Champions League places this season.

Their start to the season was awful but Wenger’s team have improved immensely in recent months. The Gunners face Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow afternoon five points behind fourth place Chelsea with a game in-hand.

The fact that Arsenal are even in with a chance of qualifying for the Champions League is incredible. They are starting to look like a side that could challenge again, despite last weekend’s 3-2 defeat at Swansea.

Star

Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie has been one of the stars of this seasons Premier League campaign. The Dutch striker has scored an incredible 18 goals in the top flight this season. It’s vital for Arsenal that Van Persie stays fit.

Without the 28 year-old the Gunners don’t look a major threat. He is the player that makes Arsenal tick. If Arsenal do somehow qualify for the Champions League then it will be the Dutchman who will be the key to qualification.

Consecutive

Arsenal have played in the last 14 consecutive Champions League campaigns. It would be a big blow to everybody involved in the club if they failed to qualify this season. Arsene Wenger seems to be preparing himself and the fans for the worst.

Money

The revenue from the Champions League has been vital to every club that has taken part in Europe’s elite competition. The money can mean the difference between success and failure. Arsenal haven’t spent much of their revenue on improving their squad though and that’s where the club have failed.

Wenger doesn’t like to spend big money and it seems that has cost the club their status among the elite of English football.

Fierce

This seasons race for the Champions League spots has been absolutely fierce. The emergence of Tottenham this season has even saw Chelsea drop down into fourth position in the Premier League. It looks like Manchester United and Manchester City have already claimed two Champions League spots.

Tottenham are also looking good for a place in the top four this season. Realistically that leaves just one spot left for one of Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. Some of the big teams will miss out, as six doesn’t go into two.

Success

Arsene Wenger has stated in the past that his primary aim for the club is to achieve Champions League qualification every season. If Arsenal don’t qualify for Europe’s elite competition then they will have failed to achieve their objective.

Would failing to qualify for the Champions League be a disaster for Arsenal?