Arsenal news: Opinion – ‘Arsenal’s ultimate goal this season is winning Champions League’

Mikel Arteta is not daft.

He is aware that the likelihood of them winning the Premier League title is super slim but he wants his players to perform at their best and finish the season on a high, in good form, playing good football and giving the fans what they want to see – which is an attacking and dominant side.

If they do that now, then they go into the next round of the Champions League knowing they have a chance of winning that trophy for the first time. Arteta will believe that his team can do that and I think that is what is different internally versus externally. He knows they can perform but most people will look at them as not being successful in terms of trophies in the past few years.

People think they can’t do it but Arteta knows they can. Getting that message across to his players will be the ultimate challenge because they are stepping into these new spaces as a team with uncertainty.

If the manager sets them up right and the players play to the best of their abilities, they are as good as any team left in European competition now.

The league is still important though because you do not want to go into a big European game having lost at the weekend. Winning league games between now and the season can really set the tone, bring the energy and bring the belief from the fans and players.

Arteta is focused, driven and understands the situation they are in. Not every game will be a high or win, but it could help them with their ultimate goal, which this season is now winning the Champions League.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport’s Nat Hayward