Arsenal to stay top in UCL

The chase for the 24 places in the knockout phase of UEFA Champions League (UCL) continues tonight with one club already having made sure they will advance from the group competition.

- By Mark Gleeson

English Premier League (EPL) leaders Arsenal became the first team to secure their place in the round of 16, or knockout phase playoffs, following their 3-1 win over Bayern Munich a fortnight ago.

The top eight overall advance directly to the round of 16, while sides finishing from ninth to 24th will contest the knockout phase playoffs. And after tonight's fixtures, there are only two more rounds in late January, so picking up points is essential for many clubs' hopes of going further in the competition.

Arsenal are away at Club Brugge tonight and fancied to keep up their 100% record and stay top of the standings. They are the only side with an unblemished record in Champions League this season and have never before won their opening six games of a UCL campaign. They head to Belgium on the back of a 2-1 league loss to Aston Villa, one which cut their lead at the top of the table to just two points above Manchester City.