Five Things That May Happen If Arsenal Fail to Qualify for the Champions League

Arsenal are just hours away from kicking off what promises to be a game of high stakes for the North London club.

The Gunners embarked to Italy with the luxury of a single-goal lead courtesy of Theo Walcott, and will be looking to add to that given the return of their captain and star striker Robin van Persie.

Udinese though, under the leadership of Antonio Di Natale, are looking to cause one of the biggest upsets of not only the season, but Wenger's entire career.

The game is a simple one and the stakes, though they couldn't be higher, are still fairly straightforward: Beat Udinese and qualify for Europe's premier competition, or lose to them and face a whirlwind of unnecessary consequences.

Essentially for Arsenal, failure tonight is not an option.

But what if Arsenal did lose? What if, for the first time in 14 years, Arsenal fail to qualify for the group stage of Europe's premier club competition?

This slideshow looks to examine the five things that could potentially happen (in order) if Arsenal were to lose and consequently get knocked out of the UEFA Champions League.

Go crazy!

Lose a Chunk of the Transfer Budget

It's no secret that Arsenal have profited fruitfully from the sales of their ex-captain Cesc Fabregas and midfield maestro Samir Nasri. The question has always been about whether Wenger would reinvest that influx of cash.

Failure to qualify for the latter stages of the Champions League would essentially mean Arsenal have to dig up a substantial amount (£25 million) from their transfer budget to reimburse the loss of potential profits made from TV rights, UEFA bonuses, etc.

For a club that's already in need of some massive restructuring, a loss of the aforementioned amount could be catastrophic.

Become Unable to Attract Quality Players

It's already being reported that Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard has agreed a 'deal in principle' with Arsenal, stating his arrival at North London if the Gunners qualify for the latter rounds.

While it may or may not be true, one fact holds true: Inability to qualify would essentially rule out any chance of attracting and luring Europe's top prospects to the club, as more fruitful opportunities that guarantee a chance at playing on Europe's top stage may lie elsewhere.

For a club that is in desperate need of some quality replacements, the consequences of failing to qualify would be monumental.

It goes without saying that Arsenal would only be able to bring in sub-par replacements, which would virtually rule out any chance of mounting a serious title challenge or, even worse, make securing a top four spot all the more difficult. 

A Decline in Reputation, Stature and Consequently Club Ambition

Liverpool, given their rich history from past exploits in Europe, may be able to go a season or two without European football while still being deemed by pundits as a European powerhouse.

Arsenal, unfortunate as it may be, already do not possess the same sort of presence in Europe as some of the other continental giants do. Inability to make the group stages would signal, and possibly confirm to those who previously speculated, that Arsenal are indeed a 'sinking ship.'

Coupled with the fact that Arsenal would be unable to attract top prospects from across the globe for a season that's already hugely competitive (given City's ascent to the top four), a decline in global brand presence is not completely impossible.

If the Gunners want to continue being considered on par with the rest of the European elite, while negating rumors and speculation of a club in crisis, they simply have to feature in the Champions League group stages.

The Departure of Key Players

Perhaps the biggest symptom of being completely drawn into the Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas transfer saga has been the complete lack of attention given to our remaining key players.

Robin van Persie, Thomas Vermaelen, Bacary Sagna and even to a certain degree, Theo Walcott, now comprise Arsenal's backbone, as they have shown by their performances last season and undying loyalty in this one that they are 'Arsenal through and through.'

But what happens if, given Arsenal's inability to attract top quality players, Arsenal are unable to secure a top four spot next season? Would their loyalties still remain steadfast to the cause?

Given that van Persie and Vermaelen's contracts are also running down, as they only have two years remaining on their current ones, it would do Arsenal some much needed good if they were able to convince the two to remain with the club.

And in order to do that, Arsenal, like every other 'big team,' needs to promise their players European football year-in and year-out. 

Descent into Mid-Table Mediocrity

Though some may expect Wenger to walk, or possibly face the axe if Arsenal fail to qualify for the latter stages, I still find it hard to envision a 'Wenger-less' Arsenal anytime in the near future.

Why I think Wenger would remain at the club beyond an Arsenal team lacking European football is a topic for another day.

What most likely may happen, give the previous four slides, is that Arsenal would no longer be a team on-par or even challenging the likes of Manchester United, City, Chelsea or even Liverpool. 

A controversial prediction no doubt, but given the way the Gunners are already being ruled out of contention, it's not hard to imagine an Arsenal team lacking the creativity of van Persie or the security of Vermaelen, fighting the likes of Tottenham (yuck), Everton and Fulham for Europa League spots.

As an Arsenal fan, I'm ashamed that the situation could yet potentially turn into the aforementioned circumstances.

However, if there's time to fail, then there's every opportunity to succeed. Arsenal may yet defy the odds and continue forward as one of England's most decorated clubs.

COYG!!!

Agree or disagree? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below, or simply tweet/follow me if that's how you'd prefer to do so : @saqibddb