OLIVIER GIROUD may have left Arsenal in 2018 but his latest goal for AC Milan helped out his former club.
Giroud was on target as AC Milan beat Juventus 1-0 – a result that secured his side Champions League football next season and means Juve cannot qualify.
As a result, Arsenal’s chances of having a successful return to the competition have been boosted as they will now be in Pot Two for the draw.
Uefa use their coefficient system to determine the seedings for European competition with the Gunners sitting 23rd.
It looked like the Gunners were going to be in Pot Three and potentially be drawn in a group of death.
But, with Juventus failing to qualify for next season’s Champions League Mikel Arteta’s side’s place in Pot Two was confirmed.
The Italian giants were eighth in the coefficient rankings but fortunately for Arsenal they missed out – with a 10 point deduction in Serie A playing a huge part.
By being in Pot Two it now means that Arsenal can only face one of Europe’s big hitters in the group stage.
As of now, Barcelona, Napoli, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica and Feyenoord could all be visiting the Emirates, as well as the winners of the Europa League out of Roma and Sevilla.
Giroud could make a return to north London as AC Milan sit in Pot Three thanks to their win over Juventus.
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The Frenchman joined Arsenal from French side Montpellier in 2012 and made 180 appearances for the club, scoring 73 goals in the process.
The 36-year-old joined London rivals Chelsea where he won the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup.
He joined Milan in 2021 and has so far scored 23 goals in 61 appearances, winning Serie A in the process.
Arsenal have been out of the Champions League for six years and fans can now once again be excited to compete in the biggest competition in club football.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
