Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta admits Gunners error as Champions League boost emerges

The day that Arsenal have been waiting for for so long has finally arrived – their Champions League return.

The Gunners host PSV Eindhoven for their first match in the competition since the 2016/17 season. Ahead of Wednesday evening’s showdown with the Dutch giants at the Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta has been getting his squad prepared.

The Spaniard – as well as Gabriel Jesus – have also both hosted their pre-match press conferences, where they’ve attempted to set the tone ahead of the game. Take a look at all of the headlines coming out of the red-and-white half of North London over the past 24 hours:

Arsenal given Champions League boost

Peter Crouch has suggested that Arsenal’s success in qualifying for the Champions League will help them in the race for the Premier League title. The former Spurs striker has claimed that playing at Europe’s top table will help them lift their game more so than the Europa League.

He said: “Being in the Champions League can work in Arsenal ’s favour because there’s a real buzz around it. My experience of playing in it, it does elevate your game, it keeps your concentrations levels up, it keeps you switched on.

“If you go and do something in any walk of life that is incredibly easy to you, like going away in the Europa League and playing a lesser team, it’s very different to going away and playing a proper team. It keeps your mind switched on and I do think that could potentially help them in the league.”

Arteta admits Vieira mistake

Arsenal boss Arteta has suggested that he has not given enough opportunities to Portuguese playmaker Fabio Vieira. The former Porto star has started the season in excellent form.

Speaking about Vieira’s lack of chances in North London, Arteta explained: “That was my fault. I said many times you know that I haven’t played him enough and that he hadn’t had enough room in the team maybe, with the competitions that we play too participate more. But we see everyday the talent that he’s got and what he can bring to the team – I was really happy with the performance at the weekend.”

Arsenal eye Toney

Away from the Gunners’ Champions League preparations, it appears that they are already getting their affairs in order ahead of the January transfer window. The Gunners are among a trio of Premier League clubs interested in Brentford’s Ivan Toney.

The former Newcastle frontman will have just 18 months on his contract come the winter window. Brentford will demand at least £60million for Toney, who has recently returned to training amid his FA ban for betting offences