Fabio cannavaro

Champions League: With only two match weeks remaining, the preliminary league stage of the Champions League is getting to the business end, and a win for Arsenal against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday could prove pivotal. The Gunners currently sit third in the 36-team league table, behind only Liverpool and Barcelona, having amassed 13 points from the six group games so far to put them firmly in contention for a spot in the coveted top eight.

And those spots could prove crucial in the season’s final shakeup. As well as receiving a bye into the round of 16 and avoiding two extra play-off round games involving the clubs finishing ninth to 24th, the elite eight will receive home advantage in the second legs of those ties in March.

Mikel Arteta emphasised the importance of capitalizing on their home advantage and hopes his side puts on a strong performance in the penultimate UCL league stage game. "So far we have done really well. We are in a strong position and now it's time to capitalise at home. The work that we have done for many months, we need a strong performance against a really good side and we'll try to do that,” said Arteta in a press conference.