Arsenal are top of the table and a point tonight would guarantee progression to the knockout stages, without requiring the irritation of the playoff round, which should be motivation enough. This is the business end of the season for a side that leads at home and in Europe. They have won all six of their Champions League games thus far to put them three points clear and they will be eager to maintain this form until the end of the first round. On the continent, it is a big night for Alvaro Arbeloa, who takes charge of Real Madrid in the Champions League for the first time.
