Two ways Arsenal can qualify for next round of Champions League

Arsenal’s 3-0 win against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday night gave them a chance of qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League competition.

The goals, courtesy of Mesut Ozil and a double from Alexis Sanchez, took Arsenal’s points to 6 placing them third in the log behind Olympiacos who have nine points having lost 4-0 to Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

Dinamo Zagreb are bottom of the table with three points.

With 12 points and top of the log, Bayern Munich has already secured qualification as the top position the only slot up for grabs is position two which is open to Olympiacos and Arsenal.

The last group encounter between the two teams at Karaiskakis Stadium in Greece on December 9 is therefore touted to be a mouth-watering affair with both Arsenal and Olympiacos determined to make the cut.

While Olympiacos just need a draw or a win of any margin to qualify, the Gunners need to beat Olympiacos by two clear goals, or win by one clear goal with a score line of 3-2 or higher to make it to the last 16.

Only one out of 39 teams have ever made it to the knockout stage after garnering three points from their four group stage matches, and Arsenal will be looking to enter the history books in their new attempt.

Since Champions League spots are decided on head-to-head records before goal differences are considered, Arsenal need to cancel out Olympiacos’ 3-2 win against them in September and win by two clear goals or win by one goal margin with a score line of 3-2 or higher.

A 3-2 win for Arsenal would level the head-to-head between the two teams, so the Gunners would go through on superior goal differences, which currently stands at -1 compared to Olympiacos -4.