ARSENAL are already facing a fixture list from hell NEXT season – if they finish seventh in the Premier League.
The Gunners have had a nightmare campaign so far, lying tenth and with just one league win in nine.
Arteta will already have a concerned eye on next season’s fixture listCredit: Getty
The North Londoners have improved since Mikel Arteta’s arrival, following a season to forget under Unai Emery.
But they look unlikely to get anything higher than seventh, with Manchester United, Sheffield United and Wolves all ahead of them.
Everton are currently in seventh after a resurgence under Carlo Ancelotti, but have a tricky run-in.
This could mean a disastrous start to next season for Arsenal, with them being forced back into competitive action on July 23 for the Europa League qualifiers.
Two other stipulations would have to be met for this to happen, including Manchester City beating Aston Villa, as expected, in the Carabao Cup final.
Also, a team who have already qualified for Europe would have to win the FA Cup, with the big boys all through to the fifth round.
Arteta would likely face some long trips across Europe for the early qualifiers, potentially facing semi-professional teams.
Wolves were forced into starting their campaign on the 25 July last year in the Europa League qualifiers.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side went on to beat Crusaders over two legs, but it was a huge drain on their squad.
The draw for the preliminary rounds usually takes place in the middle of June in Nyon, Switzerland.
And Arteta will be hoping he’s only watching it only to see who Arsenal might face in later rounds.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
