Almost a decade ago, Arsene Wenger infamously said that top 4 was comparable to winning a cup. While quoted as saying it was like a trophy his actual words were: "For me there are five trophies every season: Premier League, Champions League, the third is to qualify for the Champions League."
For years Wenger was maligned for what he said but his words had merit then and do so now. Now I am not suggesting that this is how it should be but its undoubtedly true that the way modern football is a CL berth brings in a far greater financial reward, elevates perceptions of a club and is generally seen as a sign of a more successful than winning a domestic cup. Put it this way if Arsenal had won the league cup and we had top 4 or vice versa the team qualifying for the CL would be considered to have had the better season. Even Conte made similar comments yesterday to the ones Wenger passed in 2012.
Its unfortunate that this is the way things are but maybe Wenger had it right all along.
Wenger & Top 4 is Like a Trophy
posted on 23/5/22
I’m happy as it means more Saturday games rather than Sunday
posted on 23/5/22
comment by hounslows-finest (U6180)
posted 9 minutes ago
I’m happy as it means more Saturday games rather than Sunday
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True that. I've almost forgotten whats its like to play regularly on a Saturday at this point.
posted on 23/5/22
It's all relative really, top four is possible for a lot of clubs and is usually a required step in order to gain the financial muscle/clout to kick on further. For Spurs it could begin a new era and missing out for us (Arsenal) could cut one short.
Not a trophy but more important than winning the League or even FA Cup in terms of long term club progression.
posted on 23/5/22
With the debacle of the past few years and watching some of the worst football from a spurs team, this is like winning the CL!!. I never have thought top 4 was within our reach beginning of the season. I actually thought I wouldn’t see this day for a very long time.
Just shows what a decent manager but more importantly how a few quality additions can transform a team. Don’t think we would have got top 4 without the likes of Romero , Deki and Bentancur. This not only gives the team a lift but improves personal confidence and we have seen much improved and consistent performances from the likes of Davies and hojbjerg. Bring on the summer!!
posted on 23/5/22
Obviously not a trophy but certainly as important as getting one single trophy as if you do things right it can be a springboard to multiple trophies, considering the money received and being more attractive to the top players.
I mean if Arsenal had finished fourth you'd think they would have more of a pull than Spurs for players.
posted on 23/5/22
Even klopp alluded to it when defending Liverpool's poor domestic cup record before this season.
posted on 23/5/22
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 1 hour, 8 minutes ago
Obviously not a trophy but certainly as important as getting one single trophy as if you do things right it can be a springboard to multiple trophies, considering the money received and being more attractive to the top players.
I mean if Arsenal had finished fourth you'd think they would have more of a pull than Spurs for players.
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Important for us also as everything else is just about in place:
Top Quality manager
Top Quality infrastructure generating massive sums of money
2 WC players who need to be playing at this level
The relative position of some rivals like United who may well continue to underperform & NUFC who have untold wealth, & Chelsea whose future is up in the air.
We need to capitalise on all of this & top 4 gives us more money, increased status & real impetus to kick on.
posted on 23/5/22
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 28 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 1 hour, 8 minutes ago
Obviously not a trophy but certainly as important as getting one single trophy as if you do things right it can be a springboard to multiple trophies, considering the money received and being more attractive to the top players.
I mean if Arsenal had finished fourth you'd think they would have more of a pull than Spurs for players.
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Important for us also as everything else is just about in place:
Top Quality manager
Top Quality infrastructure generating massive sums of money
2 WC players who need to be playing at this level
The relative position of some rivals like United who may well continue to underperform & NUFC who have untold wealth, & Chelsea whose future is up in the air.
We need to capitalise on all of this & top 4 gives us more money, increased status & real impetus to kick on.
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Exactly. What I mean with the Arsenal comment above is that you could have been set back a few years as if they had got in ahead of you it's likely they'd be above you for players should they go for players you're after, when you already have the top three ahead of you in this respect and possibly United also, considering their history and spending power. It's probably now a toss up with Newcastle with their spending power against whether players want to play in the CL.
You'd expect the top players to go for CL, possibly considering it too early to expect to pick up big money at Newcastle and hope they're in the CL next season. Whereas if you'd not finished in the CL places, they may take that risk, knowing they're going to get better money on top of that.
posted on 23/5/22
Its wouldn't surprise me if 4th place becomes a big money spinning play off. 4th 5th 6th and 7th all play off for 4th place with a Wembley final.(PL play off style with 2 semi finals 4th vs 7th and 5th vs 6th) The 4th place trophy and CL qualification. The others go into EL/Conference
posted on 24/5/22
It’s not like a trophy, but it’s significant and hugely beneficial to the club.