When is the Champions League draw, who Arsenal can face and what they need to qualify for last 16
It was a good night in Europe for Arsenal. The Gunners thrashed Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 to cement their place in the top eight of the Champions League league phase.
Declan Rice got things off to the perfect start in north London, scoring inside just two minutes. Gabriel Martinelli's cross was set back into his path beautifully by Kai Havertz and the England man smashed home.
Martinelli was at the centre of things in the second half too, delivery a sumptuous ball for Havertz to head home the second of the match. Martin Odegaard put the icing on the cake tapping home Leandro Trossard's cross.
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Here football.london takes a look at what it all means for Arsenal in the competition.
Where do Arsenal stand?
After the victory - the Gunners' fifth in seven games, Mikel Arteta's men sit third in the standings on 13 points. They are only behind Liverpool - that's familiar - and Barcelona.
The top eight qualify directly for the last 16 with the teams from ninth to 24th taking part in a two-legged play-off to get through to the last 16.
What do Arsenal need from their last game?
The Gunners take on Girona away in their final league phase game, knowing that they could qualify even if they lose to the Spanish outfit.
Arsenal are three points clear of the teams in ninth, tenth, 11th, 12th and 13th. Were they to lose, they would only fail to qualify for the last 16 if six of those ten teams directly behind them won on the final matchday.
A draw is all that is needed to guarantee them a spot in the last 16.
Who could they face in the last 16?
Any number of teams, in all honesty. The play-off round for the teams from ninth to 24th takes place in the weeks of February 10 and February 17. By February 19 we will know which 16 teams will be in the knockout stages proper.
The play-off round is seeded, with the teams from ninth to 16th being seeded and the teams from 17th to 24th being unseeded. the unseeded teams will play the two-legged encounter at home first.
When is the draw?
There will be two draws to come. The first, for the play-off round, will be held on Friday, January 31.
Once the play-offs are completed, the draw for the last 16, which will include draws for the quarter-finals and semi-finals too, will take place on Friday, February 21.
