Arsenal's Debt Displays Importance of Champions League Football

The UEFA Champions League tournament has been one of the most famous and prestigious tournaments since it was created in 1955.

Every year, the best clubs from all over Europe battle with each other to determine the best of the best. Apart from that, there is no need to say that winning prestige and glory goes along with the big money.

It's been estimated that the winner of UEFA Champions League tournament would earn about £40 million, without gate receipts. The bonuses are as follows: £2.4 million for reaching the group stage; £1.92 million for playing the whole six games in the group; £260,000 for a win; £130,000 for a draw; further, £30 million splashed among the clubs for the later stages of the tournament.

Unsurprisingly, clubs have become dependent on this tournament. Without the money from it, some clubs could even go bankrupt.

Arsenal FC is in such a situation. With the current debt of the club of around £200 million, which it will have to repay for the next 22 years, there is no delusion that Arsenal needs to play Champions League football every year.

What could happen if Arsenal fails to qualify for the Champions League?

First, the club would lose about £50 million from prizes. Along with that, it would also lose the money it would have gotten if it played in these extra matches. That would be another £30-£40 million.

Therefore, the deficit would approach £100 million. That could lead to a sell-out in the team. Arsenal would have to sell its star players to generate the money to pay its debts. The team is quite fragile as it is.

Another thing would be that it would have to cut down the wages of the players to cover for the losses. For a club of Arsenal’s prestige, that would be a huge step backward.

A less significant reason for Arsenal to fight vigorously for qualification is its will to prove it's in the elite of European football. The club has never won the Champions Cup and has been taunted many times because of that. Arsenal has something to prove. It has to show the world it's in there with the biggest football clubs, but, to accomplish that “formality,” it will need to win the UEFA Champions League.

Arsenal’s struggle continues on Wednesday, Aug. 27, when it plays its second match against Dutch side FC Twente in the third qualification round.