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Arsenal knockout good for Tottenham and other top four hopefuls

By Aaron Coe

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Players from Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton compete for the ball from a corner during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 21, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Players from Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton compete for the ball from a corner during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 21, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /
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With an all-English Champions League final and the prospect of an all-English Europa League final, the top four was not the guarantee it usually is. Thus, Villareal holding on for a 0-0 draw at the Emirates and a 2-1 two-legged win over the Gunners is good news for top-four hopefuls like Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham fighting for something

Tottenham Hotspur knows the pain of reaching the top four only to have the Champions League birth ripped from your grasp. Rules changes following the 2012 season when Chelsea took what would have been Tottenham’s spot in the Champions League away would prevent that from happening again. With an exception of course.

This crazy season of football was one that was leading toward that exception. Basically, if the two teams who win the Champions League and Europa League are outside of the top four, only the top three teams make it to the next season’s Champions League, according to the Premier League. The rules changes following the 2012 season allow for five Premier League teams but not six.

Had Arsenal won the Europa League then at least one of the two UEFA winners would be outside the top four. Thanks to Unai Emery and Villareal, however, that is no longer a possibility. Even if Chelsea wins the Champions League and finishes outside the top four, the fourth-placed team would still get that golden ticket.

Fourth place still holds value for Spurs and others

All this means is that fourth place is still extremely valuable and worth fighting tooth and nail for. Whereas last season Arsenal’s late-season FA Cup win cost Tottenham precious games and practice time early in this season as they fought to qualify for Europa League, the same will not the case this season.

Of course, Tottenham is not guaranteed any European competition next season at this point and even four more victories on the bounce may not be enough. However, it is good to know that if the team somehow manages to pull fourth place out of the magic hat, it will be for something.

Next. Fans back for the last two matches. dark