Here’s how much money Arsenal has lost after failing to qualify for the Champions League

Arsenal has played Champions League football every season since 1998 but that run may soon come to an end.Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images

LONDON — For 19 straight seasons, Arsene Wenger has secured Arsenal a place in the Champions League. But that record is no more.

With the 38-game season over Arsenal finished in fifth place, one point away from the fourth spot occupied by Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp’s Reds secured the last qualifying spot for the 2017-2018 Champions League season, with Arsenal consigned to a Europa League bid.

As a result, the North Londoners will miss out on a substantial amount of money.

In the 2015/2016 season alone, Arsenal received €53.4 million (£45 million) of Champions League revenue, according to UEFA. This includes €22.3 million from on-field success (Arsenal reached the round of 16) and €31.1 million in TV revenue.

It could be even higher for the current 2016/17 season as Arsenal banked €25.7 million after reaching the last 16 again, with TV revenues expected to take that figure even higher.

In short: No Champions League football could blow a hole of at least £45 million in Arsenal’s finances.

Arsenal reported pre-tax profits of £12.6 million in the year to November 2016 so if this £45 million figure is removed from their books, it has the potential to turn the club into a loss-making business.

But what about the Europa League?

It is not all bad news, though. Arsenal is guaranteed a place in the Europa League. The competition may have its detractors but it is still a respectable trophy to win.

Chelsea won the Europa League in 2013.Jamie McDonald / Getty Images

But the Europa League does not generate anywhere near as much money as the Champions League.

According to UEFA’s official 2016/2017 Europa League revenue figures, the most a British club can earn is just over €27 million (£23 million) — and that’s only if it lifts the trophy. So, if Arsenal won the Europa League next season, it would — at best — take home around half its £45 million Champions League earnings.

It’s little wonder a place in Europe’s premier football competition is so coveted.