Champions League rule change could now help Arsenal win the whole competition

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The Champions League is back for its second edition of the new format, which will see teams compete in a league phase before entering the knockout stages.

Out of all of the Premier League clubs, Arsenal made it the furthest last season, just missing out at the final few hurdles.

They made it to the Champions League semi-finals, but PSG knocked Arsenal out after two impressive performances.

This time around, Mikel Arteta and his Gunners have plans to take it a step or two further, hopeful of lifting the trophy next year.

There has been a slight change to the Champions League rules this time around, which may end up giving Arsenal an advantage that they didn’t have last season.

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UEFA add seeded Champions League knockout games in potential Arsenal boost

Arsenal will be looking to finish as high as possible in the league phase of the Champions League, with a top-eight finish handing them automatic qualification to the round of 16.

Not only would that cut out some extra games, but it would offer a potential advantage in the further knockout games.

That’s because UEFA have added seeds for the knockout rounds, which will see the higher team offered a potentially more favourable set of home and away matches in their legs.

Last season, for example, Arsenal had to play at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg of their matches against Real Madrid and PSG.

That offered a home advantage in the second leg for both teams, who actually finished below the Gunners in the league phase.

To remedy this, the seeded system will see the higher team offered the home leg second.

That means, if Arsenal were to land a high position in the league phase, then they could make use of that Emirates Stadium atmosphere to push them on towards glory.

That may be exactly what they need to land that elusive Champions League trophy.

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Arsenal’s chances in the Champions League this season via supercomputer

With Arsenal eyeing up that first Champions League trophy, there is plenty of backing from prediction models to suggest they can get over the line.

Opta have the Gunners as the second-favourites for the whole competition at 15.3% to win.

They are only behind Liverpool (20.6%), while PSG (12%), Barcelona (8.8%) and Manchester City (8.7%) are just below.

Football is played on grass and not on paper or spreadsheets, however, meaning they will still have to go out there and do the business.