‘It’s time to capitalise’ – Arteta urges focus as Gunners resume Euro mission – Arseblog News

After six Champions League group games, Arsenal are third out of 36 teams and look set to secure a top-eight finish, which would see them bypass a two-legged knockout round play-off in February.

Given the Gunners’ hectic schedule, it is a reward they are desperate to secure, especially as it would free up time in the calendar for a rebuilding mid-season trip to Dubai.

Although not guaranteed, Record simulations suggest that 16 points should be enough to ensure automatic qualification. A win against Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates on Wednesday could prove decisive.

With that in mind, Mikel Arteta calls for full focus.

“So far we’ve done really well, we’re in a really strong position and now it’s time to capitalize on all the work we’ve done for many months at home,” he told his press conference before the match.

“We need a strong performance today against a really good team and we will try to do that.”

Asked about the prospect of a warm-weather training camp, he added: “My mindset is that we have to do what we have to do first, which is always difficult because we are talking about the Champions League and if we manage to do that, of course we have we the best ideas on the table to make the right decision, hopefully.

“It was very helpful (last year). I mean, with the schedule we had for the last three months, you can take a break and reset a little bit, work on things and rest some people.”

Zagreb should present an interesting challenge for Arteta and his backroom team. Since their last competitive game – a 3-2 domestic win over Varazdin on December 22 – they have sacked manager Sergej Jakirovic and brought in Italian legend Fabio Cannavaro.

The 51-year-old’s coaching career includes spells in Dubai, China and Saudi Arabia before an unsuccessful five months with Benevento in Serie B. He also had a brief spell at Udinese, helping them avoid relegation before parting ways .

In his new role, Cannavaro has overseen just a few friendlies during the Croatian season’s traditional winter break.

“It’s the context of the game a bit,” noted Arteta. “With a new coach and the fact that they haven’t played a competitive game in a month.

“Obviously we know the games they’ve played – their friendlies we watched. And just to try to bring together ideas and more principles, basically, than systems and formations, because Fabio has played different formations in China compared to when he was in Italy, and now also.

“So (our job is) to actually understand what they want to do, not just the idea behind it. We’ll adapt to that tomorrow.”

As for who will pose the biggest threat to the visitors, all eyes will be on the highly-rated Martin Baturina. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has seven assists and two goals in 23 appearances this season and is tipped for a bright future.

“I don’t like to talk about individuals but they have a lot of talent. They have some individuals that catch your eye because you have in your head all the players who play at that club and what they have done in the past.

“So, yeah, it’s always a good league and a great club to follow.”

It should be an interesting occasion for Gabriel Magalhaes, who spent some time on loan at Zagreb from Lille in 2018. Having made just one game during that spell, he will be keen to show them what they missed .

In terms of players who have represented both clubs, Eduardo da Silva visited London Colney today to meet the Arsenal squad.

The Brazil-born Croatia international was the first player to score a competitive goal at the Emirates Stadium back in 2006, a feat that convinced Arsene Wenger to sign him. Known for his clinical finishing, he quickly became a fan favorite before to a horrific broken leg at Birmingham City almost ended his career.

“We didn’t play together, but of course it’s a really well-known face with a very specific story,” Arteta said. “He became very important and very loved here. And then the career he had there. So it is very good to see people come back, that they have been here with a big smile on their faces.”