Update: |Man City handed dream Champions League scenario after massive Arsenal favour vs Real Madrid News

Arsenal have done English clubs a huge favour as the race for Champions League qualification builds a head of steam

Arsenal have given Manchester City a major boost in their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. The Premier League will be represented by at least five clubs in the European top flight next season following the Gunners’ 3-0 win over Real Madrid.

Mikel Arteta’s side stormed past Los Blancos in the first leg of the quarter-finals at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. Declan Rice fired Arsenal ahead shortly before the hour mark with a brilliant free-kick.

The 26-year-old midfielder doubled the Gunners’ lead a few moments later with another sensational set-piece, beating Thibaut Courtois from range. Mikel Merino piled on the misery in the final quarter of an hour, bending the ball into the bottom corner.

Thanks to the north Londoners, who boosted the coefficient, England are guaranteed a minimum of five teams in the Champions League next season. A win, across any of the three UEFA competitions, would have sealed the fifth place for Premier League clubs.

England could have as many as seven teams in the Champions League in 2025/26 if Aston Villa win the competition, but fail to qualify for the tournament through the Premier League. Manchester United or Tottenham must also win the Europa League for this to happen.

Liverpool currently lead the English top flight, with Arsenal and Nottingham Forest battling it out for second place. Chelsea and Newcastle United, who have a game in hand, are fourth and fifth, respectively, on 53 points, with only goal difference separating the two sides.

Man City are sixth with 52 points and Aston Villa sit seventh with 51 points. Last month, Pep Guardiola claimed he’s relishing the ‘big fight’ of making it into the Champions League next season.

Speaking to reporters, the Spaniard was asked whether Brighton, who are ninth on 47 points, could also join the race for a top-five place. Guardiola said: “And Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Newcastle, maybe Fulham will be there. Fantastic teams, so it’s not a surprise.

“I had the feeling they deserve to be there, they’re really good and consistent and have incredible weapons in the way they play. It’s a big fight and not like a disappointment to be here, it’s a challenge in that if we’re able to achieve that and qualify for the Champions League, it’d be a huge success from my point of view.”

Guardiola added: “For many things happen, it would be a huge success. I don’t have it like ‘oh we’re playing for that’ it’s completely the opposite. Sometimes there are seasons in life and in sport where you have to live that.

“It’s in our hands, it depends on us. We don’t have to recover eight or ten points to go there and wait for the opponent to lose many games, it’s just about us and depends on our behaviours and our football if we’re there or not.

“We have to reach the best level to qualify for Europe next season, definitely. We have to be consistent as much as possible. Most of the games are really, really tough.

“We have to do it better because there are many teams with this target and we miss an important chance last week…”