Arsenal are one of three clubs with a 100% record in the Champions League, but London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotsput are not faring as well in the competition
Arsenal could gain an advantage in the Premier League title race due to the Champions League campaigns that London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are currently embarking on . The Gunners are one of only three clubs boasting a 100% record in the league phase, alongside Bayern Munich and Inter, but their counterparts from the capital are not faring quite as well.
Spurs remain unbeaten in this season's competition, along with Manchester City and the trio mentioned above. However, they have drawn both of their away matches so far, 2-2 with Bodo/Glimt and 0-0 against Monaco.
Having won both of their home matches, 1-0 over Villarreal and 4-0 versus Copenhagen, Spurs sit 10th in the table. Just a point and two places behind them are Chelsea.
Like Tottenham, the Blues have a flawless home record, having defeated Benfica 1-0 and Ajax 5-1. However, they have yet to secure a win on the road, as Bayern triumphed 3-1 in Munich, while Chelsea had to rally to draw 2-2 with Qarabag in their last outing.
At the halfway point of the league phase, both clubs occupy play-off spots for the knockout phase, albeit as seeded sides. If they remain between ninth and 24th place, they will face a two-legged tie in February, much like City did last season.
Coincidentally, that is the same month Arsenal face both teams for the final time this season. They will travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the weekend of February 21 before welcoming Chelsea the following week.
The first leg of the knockout phase play-offs kick off in the week starting February 16, just days before Spurs host the Gunners. The second legs are scheduled for the following week, beginning February 23.
According to Opta Analyst, Chelsea have a nearly 69% chance of being in the knockout phase play-offs, while Tottenham's odds stand at slightly over 71%. Arsenal, on the other hand, have the slimmest chances, at just under two per cent.
That suggests the Gunners are extremely unlikely to require a play-off. The prospect of their London rivals battling for a spot in the last 16 ahead of their league clashes with them could provide a welcome boost for Arsenal.
Chelsea are due to host Barcelona at Stamford Bridge later this month, before heading to Atalanta in December. They then welcome Pafos in January and wrap up their league phase in Italy against Napoli.
Spurs' next European match is away to Paris Saint-Germain, followed by a home game against Slavia Prague next month. Borussia Dortmund will visit them in the New Year, before they travel to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Arsenal host Bayern before the end of November and then travel to Club Brugge for their final Champions League match of the year. Inter are their first opponents in January, followed by a home game against Kairat.