Arsenal are set to begin a warm-weather training camp in Dubai as Mikel Arteta's side confirm a top eight finish in the Champions League next week.
The Gunners have a 99.96 per cent chance of avoiding February's two-legged play-off with just a heavy defeat to Girona on Wednesday plus a string of other unlikely results that have seen them bumped to ninth.
And that would leave them without a match for ten days as they are out of the FA Cup, allowing Arteta and co to repeat last season's successful trip to the emirate.
Arsenal embarked on a run of 16 wins in 18 league games after their trip in January 2024, when they pushed Manchester City into the final day of the Premier League. They are currently six points behind leaders Liverpool with an extra match played.
Asked about a potentially rejuvenating trip after the comfortable 3-0 win against Dinamo Zagreb, Arteta said: “If we earn the right to do that that would be great because obviously it's been a super busy schedule with a lot of demands and things that happen.
“More demands have been made, especially on the players. So if we can achieve that, that would be great.”
Declan Rice scored their fastest Champions League goal since 2014 against Dinamo, finding the net after 104 seconds, with Kai Havertz scoring the 500th goal of his time in charge before Martin Odegaard added a late third
And Arteta joked that he was “struggling” to understand the permutations. “A lot needs to be done [to drop out of the top eight] but we still have to go to Girona and do a good job,” he said.
“Overall I am very happy. It's a huge step tonight, which puts us in a very strong position. We scored three, created a lot and didn't concede many shots.”
Arteta also praised Rice for his dynamic performance, which he said is a sign that the midfielder is back in top form. Rice has been struggling with a nagging foot injury after starting the campaign still tired from last summer's European Championships.
“The good thing about Dec is that he is so consistent and reliable. He is always there,” Arteta added. “His intention, goal, especially offensively, how he drives with this ball. Today he could have scored two goals. I am very happy because we have to influence the game from those positions. He does that.”
Rice, meanwhile, said he hopes the win can help the Gunners build momentum as they look to close the gap on Liverpool in the Premier League.
“What I learned from last year is that at this time of the season you have to be there or around there and we're down to the minute,” Rice said. “We have to keep winning games. It has been a tough month, but we remain positive.”
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