Supporters are finding humor in Arsenal`s position in the latest UEFA rankings, which show them trailing Manchester United.
This comes despite Arsenal finishing without a major trophy for the third consecutive season, while Manchester United endured one of their least successful campaigns in recent memory.
Following their exit from the Champions League at the hands of eventual winners PSG, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had controversially stated his team was the “best in Europe”.
However, the UEFA coefficient table, which ranks clubs based on European performance, contradicts this claim, placing Arsenal even lower than Manchester United, who have recently faced significant challenges.
These rankings are calculated based on clubs` results in the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League over the past five seasons and are used for tournament seeding.
Currently, Arsenal is ranked 12th overall with 98 points, while Manchester United holds the 11th spot with 102.5 points.
Arsenal`s semi-final appearance in the Champions League this season contributed 36 points to their total.
However, their overall score is negatively impacted by not participating in European competitions in the 2020/21 season and an early exit in the Europa League Round of 16 against Sporting Lisbon the year after.
In contrast, Manchester United has participated in European competitions more consistently throughout the five-year calculation period.
Although Europa League wins award fewer points than Champions League wins, United`s record over the five years, including two runner-up finishes and a quarter-final appearance, is sufficient to keep them narrowly ahead of Arsenal.
This ranking disparity has led to mockery from fans online, with one user sarcastically commenting: “As if the best team in Europe isn`t even ranked top ten.”
Another user humorously pointed out: “Chelsea is still ahead of Arsenal despite not playing Champions League for two seasons.”
A third fan remarked with sarcasm: “This can’t be right, where is the best club in the world, Arsenal? They`ve been telling me all year they are the greatest team ever. Forget the trophies.”
The updated coefficient table shows Real Madrid leading with 143.5 points, slightly ahead of Manchester City (137.75 points).
PSG`s recent Champions League triumph added 33.5 points to their score, propelling them to fifth place.
Chelsea earned 30 points from their Europa Conference League success and still benefit from the 33 points gained from their Champions League win under Thomas Tuchel four years prior.
Looking at other English clubs, Tottenham is ranked 27th, West Ham is 29th, and Aston Villa is 46th.
