According to an exclusive in Wednesday’s Daily Mail, Arsenal have teamed up with Liverpool, Manchester United and the rest of the top 10 to stop Manchester City getting back into the Champions League.

Fernandinho and Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City show their disappointment during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 02, 2020 in London, United Kingdom.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 02: Fernandinho and Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City show their disappointment during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 02, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Manchester City are currently under a two-year ban from the Champions League. As things stand, if the 19/20 season is able to complete, City will not be allowed to play in the competition if they finish in the top four and their slot will go to fifth place.

City, however, are appealing the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) but with the world on hold, it’s not clear when that hearing will take place.

In the meantime, the Mail report that the rest of the Premier League’s top 10 clubs (minus City and Sheffield United) “have submitted a joint application to the Court of Arbitration for Sport which will hear City’s appeal against their punishment from UEFA for breaching Financial Fair Play rules.

250320 daily mail stop city
Daily Mail, 25 March 2020
daily mail city
Daily Mail, 25 March 2020

“The group, which includes the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea, have separately written to the same law firm, which has then sent an application backed by all to the arbitration body.

“It states that should City request that their punishment is ‘ stayed’ while their appeal is ongoing, all the clubs strongly object. It is understood, however, that such a request has not been lodged by the Premier League champions.”

Under Arteta, Arsenal looked like they could get themselves up as high as fifth, so it’s not hard to see why they would be involved.

19 20 premier league table at point of suspension due to covid
19-20 Premier League table at point of suspension due to Covid-19 pandemic (via Fotmob)

What happens moving forward, however, is anyone’s guess.