Arsenal: Mikel Arteta explains benefits of mid-season break as Champions League play-off chances are revealed | OneFootball

The Gunners benefitted from a training camp in Dubai last season and the same could be on the cards next month

Mikel Arteta is delighted Arsenal have all but guaranteed a spot in the last 16 of the Champions League as it will allow them to jet off for some warm-weather training next month.

The Gunners are set to go straight into the last 16 of the Champions League and Arteta plans to use the fact his side have two less games next month by organising a training camp in Dubai.

Arsenal face Newcastle on February 5 in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, but then they are not in action after that until 10 days later when they travel to Leicester.

“There have been even more demands, especially on the players. So, if we can achieve that, that would be great.

“[I am] very happy overall. Obviously this is a massive step and what we have done tonight has put us in a really strong position before we play the last game in Girona.

On target: Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard capped off a fine night with a goal.

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“We scored three goals, [created] plenty of chances, dominated the game and didn’t concede shots, and didn’t concede at home, so overall very happy.

“It’s really good and as well we made certain changes for freshness to give certain players minutes and they fully deserved them as well.

“We had some setbacks yesterday as well with the players that we could use tonight, three of them a bit of trouble, they were on the bench but not really ready to be used as well, so good that we won it and enjoy it, and then let’s go to Wolves.”