Arsenal sit fifth in the Champions League table heading into tonight’s action, having won four of their opening six games. They drew with Europa League holders Atalanta and lost to Inter Milan but have otherwise impressed, with the 5-1 win away at Sporting CP surely their standout performance.

In the six weeks since Arsenal last played in it, the Champions League has become their best, perhaps even their last, hope of silverware this season. For Mikel Arteta, then, the calculus on how to approach the two remaining league phase games must change.