They did not, though, and instead Arsenal cruised their way to a victory that should guarantee them a top-fight finish in this new Champions League format. Arsenal are currently third in the league phase and only a freak set of circumstances would see them fall out of the top eight after next week’s final game in Girona.

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.

Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard both scored on Wednesday and Arsenal do need an uplift in goals from that area of the pitch