Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea Champions League boost confirmed after Arsenal win
Arsenal's 1-0 win against Sporting CP has sealed a fifth Champions League spot for the Premier League, giving Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool a huge boost
by Kieran King · The MirrorManchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of a Champions League spot after it was confirmed that the Premier League will receive FIVE places for next season's competition.
Arsenal's 1-0 win against Sporting CP on Tuesday has ensured the Premier League will get an extra place with the top five gaining automatic qualification for the Champions League in 2026/27.
As it stands, that means Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool would seal Champions League football next season. Chelsea sit sixth and remain in the race, while Brentford (seventh) and Everton (eighth) are among the others that could mount a late fight.
Before Arsenal's trip to Sporting, just one draw was needed for the Premier League to get over the line.
With Liverpool in action at Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday and Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace all playing on Thursday, there was a very high chance that an extra place would be secured this week.
And Arsenal have now secured it for the Premier League with a 1-0 win against Sporting in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
The Gunners travelled to the Jose Alvalade Stadium looking to take an advantage home to north London and put one foot in the semi final of Europe's elite club competition.
Although it wasn't the most vintage performance, Mikel Arteta's side ended up running out with a narrow win as Kai Havertz fired home in stoppage-time.
Gabriel Martinelli's pass found Havertz in space inside the box and the German kept his composure before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
It's a result that has put the Gunners in a strong position to secure their place in the semi final ahead of next Wednesday's second leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Should the Gunners go through, they will face either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in the last four at the end of this month.
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