Arsenal's next two Europa League fixtures could be decisive in their quest to still be playing in European competition in the new year.
As things currently stand in Group A, the Gunners lead the way after picking up maximum points against FC Zurich and FK Bodo/Glimt thus far. However, because the PSV Eindhoven fixture was postponed last month due to the severe limitations on police resources and organisational issues related to the ongoing events surrounding the national mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ", they still have four games left to play.
Starting with this evening's (Thursday) reverse meeting with Bodo/Glimt, Arsenal then face PSV in back-to-back games and then conclude the group phase by welcoming FC Zurich to the Emirates Stadium at the beginning of November in one of their final fixtures ahead of the season pausing for the winter World Cup in Qatar.
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Having won their opening two games, the North London outfit are very much in control of their own destiny with regard to qualifying for the Europa League knockout phase. Although, there is an incentive of topping the group to advance directly to the last-16 stage and avoiding a round of 32 play-off tie in the new year.
Now, it's important to note that as this is only Arsenal's third group fixture, their fate can't be decided today. They can't clinch a place in the knockout phase, nor can they be eliminated. Still, they could benefit greatly from the result of the PSV vs Zurich game going their way.
With the fate for all four teams in Group A of the Europa League set to become even clearer following today's matches, football.london has taken a look at what would be the best and worst-case scenarios for Arsenal as there's a chance for Arteta to ensure his side guarantee a place in another European competition.
Best case scenario
FK Bodo/Glimt vs Arsenal - ARSENAL WIN
PSV Eindhoven vs FC Zurich - DRAW
An Arsenal win would put them on nine points with three games remaining but more importantly, they would be eight points clear of Zurich in fourth and this scenario means they can't be caught by the Swiss outfit, who could only reach seven points if they were to win their final two games.
As a result, the Gunners would be guaranteed to finish no lower than third and that means they would be guaranteed a place in the UEFA Conference League knockout phase at the minimum as the third-place Europa League teams will transfer to the aforementioned competition.
With all due respect to that competition, Mikel Arteta will have loftier ambitions and sealing a place in the Europa League last-16 is the aim. Beating Bodo/Glimt, coupled with PSV drawing at home to Zurich would be the ideal set of results as Arsenal would then be able to top Group A with two games to spare if they are victorious over the Dutch side next week.
Worst-case scenario
FK Bodo/Glimt vs Arsenal - Bodo/Glimt WIN
PSV Eindhoven vs FC Zurich - PSV WIN
Qualification for Arsenal, whilst still in their hands with the buffer of playing one fewer game than FK Bodo/Glimt, would become a little awkward in this particular scenario as they would go from 1st to third. The pressure would then be on Arteta's side to pick up at least four points from the double-header with PSV, otherwise their chances of topping the group will be decided on matchday six.
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