Arsenal return to European action for the final time this calendar year on Thursday night as they host Swiss outfit FC Zurich at the Emirates Stadium. While Mikel Arteta would have hoped that the fate of his side in the group could be sewn up by the final game, but that is far from the case.
Instead, there's plenty to play for as first in the group is still up for grabs, something that has increased importance since changes in the format. The side that finishes top will earn a bye to the round of 16, completely skipping an extra game; second place finishers will have to play in the round of 32 against a team dropping from the Champions League.
Given the congested fixture schedule and the potential difficulty of the sides dropping from the other competition, it puts more emphasis on winning the group. It hands Arteta a dilemma over the side he calls upon to get the job done while also keeping his squad as fit as possible.
