The Gunners are 99% through to the Champions League qualifying round one next season following their defeat at Chelsea combined with Manchester United defeating Manchester City.

KINGSTON UPON THAMES, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Victoria Pelova of Arsenal and Sophie Ingle of Chelsea battle for possession during the FA Women's Super League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Kingsmeadow on May 21, 2023 in Kingston upon Thames, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
KINGSTON UPON THAMES, ENGLAND – MAY 21: Victoria Pelova of Arsenal and Sophie Ingle of Chelsea battle for possession during the FA Women’s Super League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Kingsmeadow on May 21, 2023 in Kingston upon Thames, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
  • Arsenal are on the brink of qualifying for the Champions League qualifying round following recent fixtures.
  • Arsenal’s squad enhancement, for quality and depth, is a top priority ahead of next season.
  • Despite the Women World Cup 2023 taking place in the summer, the 2023/24 season is set to be busy, with Arsenal’s readiness crucial.
KINGSTON UPON THAMES, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Match Referee Abigail Bryne shows a yellow card to Katie McCabe of Arsenal during the FA Women's Super League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Kingsmeadow on May 21, 2023 in Kingston upon Thames, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
KINGSTON UPON THAMES, ENGLAND – MAY 21: Match Referee Abigail Bryne shows a yellow card to Katie McCabe of Arsenal during the FA Women’s Super League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Kingsmeadow on May 21, 2023 in Kingston upon Thames, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

With one game to go, Arsenal are three points clear of Manchester City with a superior goal difference of 11. It means Arsenal would need to lose to Villa at home on final day, while City would need to defeat Everton with an 11 goal swing.

In a rational world, it is not going to happen unless something cataclysmic happens in both games.

So, Arsenal can look forward to playing two games in Qualifying Round 1 and then, should they go through, two games in Qualifying Round 2 to make it to the Group Stage.

Securing Champions League qualification was necessary and in a tough competitive league with so many players missing out due to injuries, it is certainly a good result thanks to the players and staff efforts throughout the season.

KINGSTON UPON THAMES, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Magdalena Eriksson of Chelsea celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the FA Women's Super League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Kingsmeadow on May 21, 2023 in Kingston upon Thames, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
KINGSTON UPON THAMES, ENGLAND – MAY 21: Magdalena Eriksson of Chelsea celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal during the FA Women’s Super League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Kingsmeadow on May 21, 2023 in Kingston upon Thames, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

The title race will go the final day with United staying in touch with Chelsea. The holders have 55 points and will be away to bottom of the table Reading, while United with 53 points will be away to Liverpool. Chelsea also have a favourable five goals difference in case they draw and United win. There is no doubt that Chelsea will go with all guns blazing looking to hammer Reading.

At the bottom of the table, the relegation race will also go to the final day. Reading have eleven points and need a win at home to Chelsea, while Leicester with thirteen points are away to Brighton. Should Leicester draw and Reading win, the teams would be level on points and Reading would stay up thanks to their better goal difference. It would be an incredible upset to see Reading beat a Chelsea side chasing another title on final day.

Regarding next season, Arsenal certainly needs to improve their squad in terms of depth and quality in order to be able to compete in all competitions, something that Jonas Eidevall is well aware of. “When we are building for next season we know player availability is an important KPI if you’re going to be successful. Then we know the amount of games is not going to be less the competitiveness is not going to be less so we need a deeper squad in order to deal with those situations.”

Currently, Arsenal have 24 professional contracts registered out of a maximum of 25 allowed with three players on loan that are unlikely to be there next season (Patten, Iwabuchi and Stenson). Basically, we can have one more professional contract and then any new ones will be on the basis of one in and one out.

There is also the question of handling professional contracts to youngsters like Michelle Agyemang once she reaches 18 years of age and or also Freya Godfrey and probably loaning them to Championship clubs if we do not have squad places available. There is also the same question regarding Teyah Goldie now she is back to full fitness. Should she go on loan to carry on developing or stay in the squad as a back-up centre-back, until at least Leah Williamson is back from her ACL injury.

Should Leah Williamson and Laura Wienroither not be registered for the first half of the 2023/24 season while they are still recovering and then put back in the squad list from January onwards.

There are definite needs to recruit players in all lines except in goal where we have three good senior goalkeepers. Recruiting one defensive midfielder, one versatile winger and one striker should be the minimum this Summer as well as replacing all the players that will be leaving. Players out of contract are unlikely to be renewed with nearly all of them being on loan right now except Jennifer Beattie and Jodie Taylor.

Arsenal just need to do the business on the final day and then preparation for the 2023/24 season will start. That season will start late due to the Women’s World Cup 2023 taking place late in the summer in Australia and New-Zealand. Players who go deep into the tournament will have little if no rest before coming for the season start with Nations League, Champions League qualifiers and Barclays WSL making it a very busy September.