What Arsenal need to qualify in the Champions League top-eight with one match left

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Arsenal are reaching the tail end of the Champions League league phase, but it’s still al to play for with the current state of the table.

The Gunners have put themselves in a good position to qualify for the round of 16, but will need to seal the deal in the week ahead.

Arsenal beat Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 in their penultimate match in the Champions League, picking up a huge victory at the Emirates Stadium.

With one clash left, the North Londoners will be aiming for a top-eight finish in the Champions League table, which would guarantee passage to the round of 16 and would avoid a two-legged play-off.

So with that said, here’s a look at the current stipulations regarding Arsenal and their hopes of qualification in their final match.

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What Arsenal need to qualify top-eight in the Champions League table

Arsenal currently sit third in the Champions League table, ahead of the latest round of fixtures, with 16 points accrued from their opening seven matches.

With so many teams in the competition, and three points to play for, there could be plenty of shuffling left before it all concludes.

The Gunners know that one win and three points will guarantee them a place in the top-eight, though it becomes complicated beyond that.

A victory isn’t required though, with a point against Girona being enough to stay clear of those teams below them.

In the case of a defeat, it opens up the trap door and the chance of falling out of the top-eight, though it requires plenty of teams earning a win to leapfrog the Gunners.

Fixtures are set to play into their hands though, with teams below them set to face off in the final matches.

It means a guaranteed place in the knockouts, but they still have work to do to confirm a space in the round of 16.

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Champions League qualification is in Arsenal’s hands

With some tough fixtures out of the way, Arsenal will feel confident about their chances of finishing in the top-eight.

Clashes against Dinamo Zagreb and Girona presented opportunities to confirm that spot, with the two clubs having struggled in the competition.

If they manage to secure two wins, Mikel Arteta has hinted at Arsenal taking a mid-season break, thanks to a gap that would be created in the schedule.

Whether the side can manage that, given their current injury crisis, remains to be seen but they will throw everything at landing a place automatically into the round of 16.