Arsenal return to European action on Thursday night as they host Dutch side PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates Stadium, eyeing a victory that takes them a step closer to finishing top of Group A. The Gunners currently occupy that position, two points clear of their opponents in second going into the match.
The difference between finishing first and second could be huge for Mikel Arteta, with the side finishing top getting a route through while the side finishing behind have to face a team that dropped from the Champions League. That may not just add more fixtures, which they wouldn't want, but it could also be a tougher match to come up against.
“It’s a competition that is really important for us, we know how important it is to be on top of that group...” the Spaniard said on the Europa League earlier this season. "Playing in Europe is always great and tomorrow I think we’re going to have a great atmosphere again at the Emirates. We want to produce those nights and we know that we want to be playing yesterday and today [in the Champions League], but at the moment it’s our reality and we have to accept it. It’s part of our next step.”
