Arsenal one win from little-known Champions League bonus that EVERY team wants
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Arsenal could secure a Champions League bonus that allows them to play second legs at home for every round until the final - but only if they can pip Barcelona to second in the final match of the league phase. The Gunners closed in on a place in the last-16 with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates on Wednesday night thanks to goals from Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard.
Mikel Arteta's side are effectively already through and need just a point to guarantee a place in the top eight - and avoid having to go through the play-offs. Arsenal are currently on 16 points after five wins one draw and one loss in Europe, putting them third behind leaders Liverpool and Barcelona - who pulled off an incredible last-minute 5-4 win over Benfica on Tuesday.
There's no doubt the north Londoners will be very happy if they go through as things stand ahead of their final game against Girona next week, but there could be an extra incentive if they finish second. Teams who finish in the top two will enjoy the extra perk of playing the second leg of every knockout round at home all the way to the final. Barcelona are two points ahead of the Gunners, meaning Arsenal must beat Girona and hope Barcelona drop points at home to Atalanta to enjoy this bonus.
We've seen how important it can be to play your second leg at home in the Champions League - especially after Liverpool were battered 3-0 by Barcelona at the Nou Camp in the 2018 semi-finals before romping to a famous 4-0 win at Anfield to put them into the final.
