After six Champions League group games, Arsenal sit third out of 36 teams and look well-positioned to secure a top-eight finish, which would see them bypass a two-legged knockout round play-off in February.
Given the Gunners’ hectic schedule, it’s a reward they are desperate to secure, especially as it would free up time in the calendar for a restorative mid-season trip to Dubai.
While it’s not guaranteed, Opta simulations suggest that 16 points should be enough to secure automatic qualification. A win against Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates on Wednesday could prove decisive.
With that in mind, Mikel Arteta is calling for full focus.
“So far we’ve done really well, we’re in a really strong position and now it’s time to capitalise at home on all the work that we’ve done for many months,” he told his pre-game press conference.
“We need a strong performance today against a really good side, and we’ll try to do that.”
Asked about the prospect of a warm-weather training camp, he added: “My thinking is let’s do what we have to do first, which is always difficult because we’re talking about the Champions League, and if we manage to do that, obviously we’ll have the best ideas on the table to make the right decision, hopefully.
“It was very helpful [last year]. I mean, with the schedule that we had for the last three months, you can have a break and reset a little bit, work on things, and rest some people.”
Zagreb should pose an interesting challenge for Arteta and his backroom team. Since their last competitive game – a 3-2 domestic win over Varazdin on 22 December – they’ve sacked manager Sergej Jakirovic and brought in Italian legend Fabio Cannavaro.
The 51-year-old’s coaching career includes stints in Dubai, China, and Saudi Arabia, before an unsuccessful five months with Serie B outfit Benevento. He also had a brief spell at Udinese, helping them avoid relegation before parting ways.
In his new role, Cannavaro has only overseen a couple of friendly matches during the Croatian season’s traditional winter break.
“That’s the context of the game a little bit,” noted Arteta. “With a new coach and the fact that they haven’t played a competitive match for a month.
“Obviously, we know the games that they’ve played—their friendlies, we watched. And just to try to gather ideas and more principles, basically, than systems and formations, because Fabio’s played different formations in China compared to when he was in Italy, and now as well.
“So, [our task is] to actually understand what they’re going to do, not just the idea behind it. We’ll adapt to that tomorrow.”
As for who will pose the biggest threat for the visitors, all eyes will be on the highly-rated Martin Baturina. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has seven assists and two goals in 23 appearances this season and is tipped for a bright future.
“I don’t like to talk about individuals, but they do have a lot of talent. They have some individuals that catch your eye because you have in your head all the players that play in that club and what they’ve done in the past.
“So, yeah, it’s always a good league and a great club to follow.”
It should be an interesting occasion for Gabriel Magalhaes, who spent some time on loan with Zagreb from Lille in 2018. Having only played one game during that stint, he’ll be keen to show them what they missed.
On the topic of players who have represented both clubs, Eduardo da Silva visited London Colney today to meet the Arsenal squad.
The Brazil-born Croatia international was the first player to score a competitive goal at Emirates Stadium back in 2006, a feat that convinced Arsene Wenger to sign him. Known for his clinical finishing, he quickly became a fan favourite before that horrific leg break at Birmingham City nearly ended his career.
“We didn’t play together, but obviously it’s a really familiar face with a very specific history,” said Arteta. “He became very important and very loved here. And then, the career he had there. So, very good to see people coming back that they’ve been here with a big smile on their faces.”
I would implore everyone to keep the faith and not give up on this season. We’re so close to winning things. It only takes a few little bits of luck and things to change and the doom and gloom lifts. Today we have Ethan and Cala back, a small win. Tommorow let’s beat Zagreb and then Wolves Saturday. Who knows then, maybe we have a signing on board. Saka and White will return. We can still shake the shit out of this season and make it a memorable one. COYG
We aren’t signing anyone- there aren’t even any rumors or whispers out there.
The best we can hope for are players returning from injury and not needing an extra month to find form.
There’s plenty of rumors!! Whether we act on them is another matter though…☹️
What are the odds Cunha arrives in time for Wolves? I put it at 75-1, it ain’t going to happen but would be very funny if it did!
Rumours and whispers mean nothing, and Arsenal never lets out information about who they’re chasing. Take a Valium and wait and see what happens.
Let’s just win this one. A must win game given the importance and the opponent, we just have to win. 1 goal will be fine!
Like your sentiment and fully support your comment. But as a caveat, you can’t buy luck on the other hand you can buy a striker.
I’m fully behind getting a striker in. Would absolutely love Mbeumo
For me it’s pretty much over. You would be mad to think they have a hope of winning the league or the champions league. As for being close you only have to look at the squad and what happens when you lose either Saliba, Saka and Odegaard. I think in fairness we have over achieved rather than gone close – but I will leave others to debate that…
Difficult yes, but mad to think? No. Madrid were absolutely crap in the league last season. Chelsea have won the CL twice with horrible teams. Liverpool once won it finishing 5th and 2 seasons ago Inter made the final with Onana, Darmian, Mkhitaryan and Lukaku. With a bit of luck we are good enough to beat every single team in this competition, and if you can’t get behind that then what is even the point of watching football.
It’s not impossible just unlikely. You need to grind results out when you are playing against a stronger opponent. Arsenal are great when they have a full squad but like I said when you lose one of three key players their mentality is questionable. I will always follow them but the realistic route to a trophy was the FA Cup and league cup and second place would be progress alongside a cup – Arteta knows it is unrealistic hence why no one has been signed…
I agree, CL is our best chance of silverware this season 👍
It’s like what the fellah says at the end of Full Metal Jacket, “I am in a world of shit, but I am not afraid”. Sometimes you just need to keep going and everything can change 😅
Indeed, that is how the majority of things are accomplished in life.
The only reason that I did not downvote u is b’cos I loved Anders Limpar.
What a player he was for our gunners.
Should have brought in Rob Holding to manage them
Good one. Crazy how far Holding and Callum Chambers stock has fallen.
Eduardo, what a little gem he was until that GBH assault.
Diaby, Ramsey and Eduardo were all victims of the “if we can’t beat them / kick them” mentality that was rampant back then. Big Sam, Pulis etc.
You beat me. I was gonna comment “Cannavaro, he’s better than Holding.”
By April we will have Saka, White and Calafiori back and fresh. Rice’s toe won’t be broken. Beat Zagreb and we can arse around until then and still have every chance of winning the big trophy we’ve all dreamed of for so long. COME ON ARSENAL!
The Italian Tomi is already back! For one week only…play him quick before he disappears again!!
If we are lucky it could be that Real and City are out by then and from then on it’s luck of the draw and whether Arsenal turn up or not – I can’t see it but but perhaps they may get sick of being also rans…
I don’t fear Real or City, I fear underestimating another team that plays with a low block and nicks a couple of goals.
100% this, your bang on pal
As a dear self-appointed nobody representative of the Kroenke, I set winning the CL as the new objective for this team.