The huge title boost Arsenal can officially confirm this week with Mikel Arteta wish granted
The dust has not yet settled on the controversy surrounding Arsenal's win over Wolves on Saturday, with Myles Lewis-Skelly waiting to hear whether his three-game suspension will stand. There has been talk the teenager's red card may be overturned, although no official decision has been confirmed, either by the Gunners of the Premier League.
Attention must now turn to the Champions League, however, with Arsenal flying to Spain this week ahead of their clash against Girona on Wednesday. It will be the eighth league phase match Mikel Arteta's side have played in the competition this campaign, with the north Londoners winning five, drawing one and losing one of those games.
Arsenal are currently in a very commanding position as they sit third in the table, with the top eight automatically going through to the round of 16 stage. Teams who finish ninth to 24th go through to a two-legged knockout playoff, with those games scheduled for February 11/12 and February 18/19.
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With Arsenal having already acquired 16 points, they have already essentially sealed a place in the top eight, although this has not been officially confirmed as technically a bunch of teams could overtake them on goal difference, although this is incredibly unlikely. Arteta's side can guarantee a place in the last 16 by at least drawing against Girona on Wednesday, while a win would be welcomed as it could propel them up the table further.
So, if Arsenal do secure a place in the last-16 on Wednesday and avoid playing the two-legged knockout playoff, that would mean the Gunners play two less games in February than some of their Champions League rivals. It would also mean Arsenal have nine days off between their Carabao Cup semi-final clash with Newcastle on February 5 and match against Leicester in the Premier League on February 15. With no Champions League game on February 18/19, Arteta would also have a whole week to prepare for the clash against West Ham on February 22.
So, it's clear that if Arsenal secure qualification to the Champions League last-16 this week, it will give the Gunners a huge Premier League title boost, with Arteta afforded some extra time on the training pitch with his players. The Spaniard and the club may even use the opportunity to take the squad on a warm weather training camp, just like they did last season when going to Dubai.
Arteta was even asked about the importance of potentially going away and taking time to refresh after the win over Dinamo Zagreb last week. "Yeah, if we [earn] the right to do that, that will be great," he said. "Because obviously it's been a super busy schedule with a lot of demands and with things that happen, even more demands, especially on the players. So we can achieve that would be great."
After Girona, Arsenal entertain Man City at Emirates Stadium on Sunday before their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle next Wednesday. It means the Gunners play three games in seven days so a well-earned break after the cup encounter could be on the cards.