Arsenal’s 3-0 trouncing of Real Madrid could have a seismic impact on the Premier League and create a never-seen-before scenario in European football.
The Gunners beat the 15-time European champions in a memorable night at the Emirates Stadium, with Declan Rice scoring an incredible pair of free-kicks 12 minutes apart in the second half.
Rice did his best David Beckham impression to break the deadlock in the 58th minute, curling one around the wall and past Thibaut Courtois to send Arsenal fans into raptures.
The England international repeated his heroics with a thunderous dead-ball effort into the top corner and then Mikel Merino sealed the victory with an exquisite finish from the edge of the box.
Arsenal take a 3-0 lead to the Santiago Bernabeu next week but the result has already confirmed that England will receive five spots in next season’s Champions League.
It was widely expected that the Premier League would secure the European Performance Spot (EPS), brought in last season to coincide with the new 36-team league table format.
Two leagues will get an additional spot and it was looking promising for England after the poor performance from Italian clubs.
Arsenal’s victory over Real provided the confirmation that whoever finishes fifth in the Premier League will play in next season’s Champions League.
Currently that spot will go to Newcastle, who are on 53 points with a game in hand after their win over Leicester City on Monday.
How England could make history in Europe next season
But there could be as many as seven teams in next season’s Champions League if Aston Villa win the competition and finish fifth, as well as Manchester United or Spurs winning the Europa League and securing qualification to Europe’s premier club tournament.
That has never happened before and would be a major success for the Premier League.
If Villa and United or Spurs were to win the aforementioned competitions, along with Chelsea winning the Conference League but all sides failing to finish in the domestic qualification places, there could be 11 English teams in Europe – as per Dale Johnson of ESPN.
Newcastle won the Carabao Cup in an achievement that brings Conference League qualification and would be passed down if they finish in the Europa League or Champions League places.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Manchester City are all in still in the FA Cup as well as pursuing Champions League football.
