Mikel Arteta happy with Arsenal in ‘really strong position’ in Champions League - The result took Arsenal back up to third in the 36-team table with the top eight assured of avoiding a two-legged knockout clash.

Arsenal are almost guaranteed a spot in the Champions League round of 16 and a bye from the play-offs but Mikel Arteta joked he was still struggling with the permutations

Mikel Arteta has revealed that Arsenal play music during training sessions to “build the energy” among the players. Arsenal trained in front of the media on Tuesday afternoon to a Samba soundtrack, which included the song ‘Mas Que Nada’ by Sergio Mendes.

Arsenal do as much as they can, which means it is close to impossible for anyone else to do enough to prevent their safe passage into the Champions League last eight. Uefa are hoping for what might be a satisfyingly wild night next Wednesday, but some of it does sound a little absurd.

Mikel Arteta has installed giant speakers at Arsenal's training ground ahead of their Champions League clash with Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday evening

The mathematics were still causing a few heads to be scratched after Arsenal's 3-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday, but Declan Rice gave the new Champions League format a thumbs up.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is ready to call upon Declan Rice as an emergency option at centre-back in the absence of William Saliba. Saliba missed Saturday’s draw with Aston Villa due to a hamstring injury picked up in the north London derby last Wednesday.

Mikel Arteta has admitted that William Saliba’s injury setback has forced him to consider a new role for Declan Rice. Saliba missed Saturday’s disappointing 2-2 draw against Aston Villa after he pulled up during the closing stages of last week’s north London derby win over Tottenham.