As expected, Manchester City have had their two-year European football ban overturned meaning they can now play in the Champions League next season and Arsenal definitely can’t.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JUNE 17: Joe Willock of Arsenal battles for possession with Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on June 17, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dave Thompson/ Pool via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JUNE 17: Joe Willock of Arsenal battles for possession with Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on June 17, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dave Thompson/ Pool via Getty Images)

We all knew it would happen.

When asked to bear their teeth, UEFA flashed a gummy grin and Manchester City got what they wanted – the ability to do what they wanted.

How many bans have UEFA issued that have actually stood up? Not enough, that’s for sure.

Throw FFP in the bin. It’s not fit for anything.

What this decision also means is that Arsenal can no longer qualify for the Champions League, not that that was ever likely to happen this season, anyway.

But, it is good to get it off the table as any sort of talking point.

Could you imagine the carnage of this side up against Bayern again?

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01: Serge Gnabry of FC Bayern Munich celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League group B match between Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Muenchen at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 01, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 01: Serge Gnabry of FC Bayern Munich celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Champions League group B match between Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Muenchen at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 01, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

No thanks.

While money from the Champions League is all very nice for buying players and paying stupid wages, the impact on the team, and fans, of being regularly humiliated is not good for anyone’s mental health.

Never mind the Champions League, Arsenal have no business being there. On this season’s form, we’ve no business even being in the Europa League.

And maybe that wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

It hardly did Liverpool any harm when they had only domestic matters to focus on, such was their fall. A few years on and they are both European and Domestic Champions.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: A fan looks on after Liverpool confirmed as Premier League Champions at Anfield on June 26, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Liverpool claim their first championship in 30 years. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JUNE 26: A fan looks on after Liverpool confirmed as Premier League Champions at Anfield on June 26, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Liverpool claim their first championship in 30 years. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

We’ll get to see on Wednesday night how far Arsenal are from them. Even if the Reds are already be in party mode, does anyone give Arsenal a chance?

There is, of course, no guarantee that Arsenal would ‘do a Liverpool’ should they drop out of Europe altogether.

Much depends on how player recruitment is handled, whether Mikel Arteta can fulfil the potential we all hope he has, and how those in charge of the club choose to go about things.

But, for a brand new young manager cutting his teeth at one of the biggest clubs in the world, a narrower focus might show him to be at least less gummy than UEFA.

That can’t be hard.