Olivier Giroud might have done Arsenal a massive favour with his goal against Juventus
In April, the Gunners seemed set for the Champions League ‘group of death’ next season
AC Milan qualified for the UCL with a 1-0 win and this had some ramifications for Arsenal

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Despite leaving Arsenal in 2018, Olivier Giroud is still doing his former club favours, albeit indirectly.

After a six-year absence, the Gunners will finally make a return to the grandest stage in club football following a second-place finish in the Premier League.

Thanks to AC Milan’s 1-0 win over Juventus on Sunday, May 28, the Gunners are set to avoid dangerous opponents in the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Giroud, AC Milan — Olivier Giroud of AC Milan celebrates the win at the end of the Serie A match between Juventus and AC Milan at Allianz Stadium on May 28, 2023 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Cottini
Source: Getty Images

The Italian giants secured a Champions League spot thanks to Giroud’s header, confirming Juve will not have a spot among Europe’s elite next season.

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The best Juventus can possibly do this season is a fifth-place finish in the Serie A. As a result, Arsenal will be placed in pot 2 of the Champions League draw, thanks to their strong coefficient ranking.

Seeding for European competitions is usually done through a coefficient system, with Arsenal being ranked 23rd, as per 90Min.

In April, when Juventus were on course for Champions League qualification, there was concern the Gunners would be placed in pot 3 and end up in a 'group of death' when the group stage draw occurs in the summer.

But the absence of the Old Lady, ranked 8th in the coefficient, means Arsenal will be in pot 2 and can only face one giant in the group stage of the Champions League in 2023/24.

The Standard.co.uk reports that teams including Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and Porto will all avoid Arsenal, but Mikel Arteta’s side could still face teams like Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Italian champion, Napoli.

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Champions League pots taking shape

The final coefficients are still yet to be confirmed, with Arsenal also likely to come up against the winner of the Europa League - either Sevilla or AS Roma.

Top league champions and Europa League winners are usually placed in pot 1, but Inter Milan could knock the champions from pot 1 if they win the Champions League.