Arsenal consider mid-season break but must avoid Champions League slip-up | OneFootball

Gunners must finish in the top eight of Champions League to keep calendar free

Arsenal’s trip to Dubai last year helped turn their form

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Arsenal are looking into the possibility of heading to Dubai next month for a mid-season break after crashing out of the FA Cup.

Mikel Arteta has confirmed the club are looking at going away for a mid-season break then, with Dubai the expected destination.

The Gunners could return there next month by travelling out to Dubai after the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Newcastle on February 5.

Arsenal are not in action again after that until February 15 when they travel to Leicester, which would give them a window to have a break - but they must finish in the top eight of the Champions League.

Doing that would mean Arsenal avoid having a play-off next month, the first leg of which would be on February 11-12 - which is when the club would like to be on a break.

“We are looking now,” said Arteta, when asked if Arsenal are looking at a going away next month as they are out of the FA Cup.

“Okay, this (The FA Cup) is gone, so how can we optimise the situation using it in the best possible way.

“So we are looking at options. I think the calendar and fixtures are a bit dependent on what happens with the Champions League as well. We are looking and trying to plan the options.”