Arsenal’s Champions League top-two push has much bigger stakes than expected

Arsenal's Champions League matches during the league phase feel simply less important and are thereby not especially entertaining, given the low stakes. The Gunners are in a privileged position of knowing they do not have to exert an enormous amount of energy to secure a top eight finish, thereby going straight through to the round of 16.

Half way through the league phase, Mikel Arteta's team have ten points, following Wednesday's frankly unmemorable 2-1 victory over Slavia Prague. Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyökeres on target during the first half in the Czech capital, with the visitors pretty much cruising thereafter.

This result leaves Arsenal third in the gigantic league table, below only Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, both of whom boast perfect records, the latter only doing so thanks to a late turnaround in Athens. Liverpool, Real Betis and Aston Villa, all of whom won their first three, were beaten this week.

Arsenal need to push for top two in the Champions League

Arsenal are certainly well-placed to cement a top eight spot, thereby skipping February's first knockout round, two fixtures they could very much do without. However, while it may therefore feel as though there is now very little to play, Arteta's team should be determined to secure a top two finish, something that is now in their own hands.

The reason for this is two fold. The clubs who finish first and second are placed on opposite sides of the bracket, thereby unable to meet until June's final at the Metropolitano. More importantly though, these top two sides are guaranteed home advantage in every round of the knockout stages; those in third and fourth will be at home first in the semi-finals, if they make it that far.

This is something Arsenal enjoyed last season, en route to the Puskás Aréna, ousting Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting CP and Atlético Madrid, all with the deciding leg in North London, which was key, given that with three rounds were on a knife edge.

As Arteta's team seek to go one better, this would represent a massive advantage again. Were they to reach a semi-final against PSG, Barcelona, Bayern Munich or another elite-level opponent, bringing them back to the Emirates for the second leg could be what makes the difference.

So, what do Arsenal need to ensure they finish either first or second? Well, current leaders PSG still have to travel to Villa Park and high-flying Como, as well as hosting Roma and Galatasaray, but les Rouge-et-Bleu are more than capable of winning all of those matches.

The other team above the Gunners are Real Madrid, who of course visit the Emirates on 9 December; we're sure José Mourinho will recieve a warm welcome. Thus, Arsenal will more than likely need to beat los Merengues to leapfrog them, given that their other fixtures are favourable, namely PSV and LASK at the Bernabéu, as well as Shakhtar Donetsk at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal will probably need to win all four of their remaining fixtures to finish above los Blancos, while also avoid being reeled in by the chasing pack. They also welcome Borussia Dortmund and Sabah to North London, as well as taking on Real Betis at the Cartuja in January.

So, while these matches feel somewhat meaningless, the foundation upon which Arsenal reached Budapest last season was a strong league phase, so this has to be a priority again.

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