Not that it mattered, since winning the FA cup will do the same job but it also means something.
Solid mid table finish this season is obviously quite a steep decline from last season's position. However win the FA cup, and this season becomes better than last season's.
Defence was always the no 1 priority for Arteta to fix. It was quite obvious after the Liverpool and City games that the biggest challenge would be to see how the team would fare against lesser opposition now. Clearly not very well on today's evidence. But there were other factors as well in play, i.e. Villa were up for it more.
No shots on target will be concern for Arteta. But as I say win the FA cup and from what could've been a disastrous season, got saved.
Europa League spot gone
posted on 21/7/20
We pinned all our hopes on Baku last season and where did that get us
posted on 21/7/20
comment by Castor Troy (U8700)
posted 2 minutes ago
We pinned all our hopes on Baku last season and where did that get us
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That was a massive disaster. But if there is one silver lining of not winning the final, it'll be that there will be no distractions to actually compete for top 4.
posted on 21/7/20
Europa means income. We lose a lot of money because of a lack of match day revenue because of covid. Europa also means we attract players. It may not be CL but players get some exposure. The idea European football is not important is very wrong.
posted on 22/7/20
Europa income is a pittance.
Also you'll very rarely find a top player enticed by playing in a second-rate European competition on horrible pitches.
Breakdown:
• qualification for the round of 32; €500,000 each
• qualification for the round of 16: €1.1m each
• qualification for the quarter-finals: €1.5m each
• qualification for the semi-finals: €2.4m each
• qualification for the final: €4.5m each
• The UEFA Europa League winners can expect to collect an additional €4m.
For context...qualifying to CL group stages only, will earn a club almost double the total of all of those Europa rounds put together!
Better off just finishing outside of Europa places, collect the £25m for finishing 8th and focus on mainly playing once a week next season.
Oh..you'll have to lose the FA Cup final as well