Arsenal's thumping Real Madrid win has major knock-on effect for Premier League rivals

Arsenal's on Tuesday night means the Premier League is guaranteed to have five representatives in next season's . And there could even be more than that depending on what happens between now and the end of the season.

With five teams still active in European competition, it would have taken an almighty collapse for that fifth spot not to be confirmed. The Champions League awards two European Performance Spots, based on the countries whose teams perform the best across the Champions League, and Conference League in the previous campaign.

England has been in the top two spots for much of the season, and is now guaranteed to finish there. Spain remain the favourites to claim the second extra spot, despite Madrid losing at the Emirates Stadium.

In addition to the five Champions League places for the top five in the league, there is still a chance that seven English teams make it into next season's competition. That would only happen if the Champions League and Europa League winners finish outside the top five in the .

, who face Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday, sit seventh in the Premier League at the time of writing. and , both in Europa League action on Thursday, are both in the bottom half of the league table.

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After a goalless first half in North London, a 3-0 victory for looked far from likely. However, a pair of stunning free-kicks put them 2-0 up midway through the second half before makeshift striker Mikel Merino fired home a third.

Arsenal haven't reached the semi-finals of the Champions League since back in 2009, when they lost to Mancnester United in the final four. Their only appearance in the final of the competition came in 2006, when they beat along the way.

The race for that fifth Champions League qualification spot is a close one. Just two points separate in fouth and Villa in seventh. Carabao Cup winners are in the middle of that group, but with a game in hand.

Former striker Alan Shearer was on co-commentary duty on Amazon Prime for the Gunners match on Tuesday, Upon learning the fifth spot was locked up he suggested the night "just got better" while indicating he was referring to his former club's hopes of progressing.

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