Juventus' 10-Point Deduction Gives Arsenal a Boost in Next Term's Champions League

Key Highlights :

1. Juventus' 10-point deduction hands Arsenal a surprise boost in next term's Champions League... with the Gunners now set to avoid a draw with Real Madrid as the Italian giants drop out of the top four race.

2. Arsenal didn't qualify for Europe last season and went out in the last 16 this term.

3. Juventus' 10-point deduction comes after being found guilty of inflating fees.

4. The Gunners' season has ended on a bitter note - despite the side qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since 2015-16 - having let slip a healthy lead in the title race in the run-in.

5. As a result, they sit behind the likes of Man City, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Juventus, Barcelona, AS Roma, Intern, Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig, Benfica, Villarreal, Napoli, Porto, Eintracht Frankfurt and arch rivals Tottenham.

     The 2020/21 season has been a bittersweet one for Arsenal fans. Despite qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since 2015-16, the Gunners were unable to hold on to their lead in the title race in the run-in, leaving them with a sour taste in their mouths. However, a surprise boost has come in the form of Juventus' 10-point deduction, which has handed Arsenal a reprieve and a chance to avoid a draw with Real Madrid in the Champions League next season.

     Juventus were found guilty of inflating transfer fees over a period of three seasons, orchestrated by former Spurs chief Fabio Paratici. As a result, they were initially handed a 15-point deduction, which was then reduced to 10 points after an appeal. This has seen the Italian giants drop out of the top four race and potentially miss out on a spot in the Champions League next season.

     Arsenal were looking down the barrel of a place in pot 3 in the Champions League draw, which would have seen them face some of Europe's biggest clubs, including Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. However, with Juventus now set to finish in the top four in Serie A, Arsenal are now likely to find themselves in pot 2 and avoid the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

     Massimiliano Allegri's side have been dealt a debilitating blow, and have been left fuming by the decision to deduct 10 points from their tally. Roma boss Jose Mourinho was particularly vocal in his criticism of the decision, claiming it was "unfair".

     Although proceedings have been opened by UEFA that could result in a ban from all continental competitions for Juventus, Arsenal are set to benefit in the short term. A place in pot 2 would see them avoid some of Europe's biggest clubs, and potentially give them a better chance of progressing in the Champions League next season.

     The Gunners have endured several underwhelming European campaigns in recent years, having failed to qualify for any European football last season and going out in the round of 16 this term. However, with a bit of luck and the 10-point deduction handed to Juventus, Arsenal could find themselves with a much more favourable draw in the Champions League next season.

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