Why Arsenal & Man United won't be happy about Tottenham's exit from Europe

For all the criticism Nuno Espirito Santo endured as Tottenham Hotspur head coach, the North London side are still reaping the rewards of the decent start the Portuguese manager had at the club. 

While 1-0 wins over Manchester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Watford came on the back of rather unimpressive showings, those nine points, coupled with the inconsistency of the sides around them, meant a run of positive results at any point in the campaign was going to put them firmly in the running for a top-four finish. 

Manchester United’s significant drop off has seen what many expected to be a four-team race for the Premier League title become a three-horse race with the Red Devils now fighting for Champions League qualification. 

Along with the underperforming Manchester outfit are Arsenal, whose non-participation in Europe meant this season was likely going to represent their biggest chance of returning to the top four after a five-season absence. 

Despite Europa League participation, West Ham United have soldiered on to remain in contention, although a rather indifferent run of results in recent weeks has seen them lose steam to fall behind the Gunners—albeit having played a game fewer. 

The campaign is nearly at its halfway point but it seems the last CL spot will have another team in strong contention in the second half of the campaign with Tottenham slowly turning the screw. 

That was always the target immediately Antonio Conte took over the reins in North London but the club’s recent elimination from Europe altogether increases their prospects. 

Conte, as is his wont, has bemoaned UEFA’s decision to not reschedule the final game of their Europa Conference League group stage game against Rennes. 

“I can't accept this. We are very, very disappointed with UEFA for this decision,” the passionate Italian remarked recently. “It's unfair for sure. We deserve to play for qualification on the pitch, not in this way. I'm very disappointed with UEFA's decision.”

While an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport may be in the offing, as a neutral and casual observer, you wonder why this is not being viewed as a blessing in disguise. 

The Europa Conference League has been largely derided by the majority of observers in England and the total prize money for winning it from here would be around €13 million. 

Winners of the competition are guaranteed a spot in next year’s Europa League, but the possibility of aiming for a higher league finish highlights the merits of dropping out of a competition supporters struggled to warm up to in the first place. 

Conte, a training ground tactician, has often worked wonders on multiple occasions without midweek distractions and this time should not be different. 

He won Serie A in 2011/12 with Juventus without European distractions, claimed the 16/17 Premier League title with Chelsea who were not participating in continental football that season and his Inter Milan team ran away with last season’s Scudetto after exiting the Champions League following a fourth-place finish. 

Indeed, the Lilywhites could be beneficiaries of their manager’s inclination to get results on board when he has time on the training ground and their current Premier League position means a top-four spot is doable. 

Admittedly, games outstanding do not translate to points but Spurs have played three games fewer than Arsenal who they currently trail by six points. For context, claiming victories in those fixtures puts them fourth, three ahead of Mikel Arteta’s men and, interestingly, only three behind Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea. 

Their forced exit from Europe also eliminates the complicated situation of rescheduling outstanding domestic fixtures as they theoretically now have room in their schedule to fit the games in over the next few months. 

As it stands, there appears to be a four-way battle for that final Champions League spot, with Spurs’ provisional elimination from the continent making them an even stronger contender. 

Throw in the precedent with Conte and it will not be surprising to see nervous supporters at Old Trafford and in the red half of North London as this extra competitor potentially thwarts the pair’s European ambition.