It is now five years since Arsenal played in the Champions League and, after their painful end to last season, the hunger to return is greater than ever.
Arsenal had been on course to finish in the Premier League’s top four with three games to go, but back-to-back defeats by Tottenham and Newcastle ended that dream. Mikel Arteta’s young side had to settle for finishing fifth — and the pain of last season is acting as the perfect fuel as they bid to do better this year.
