Arsenal are set to embark on a warm-weather training camp in Dubai if Mikel Arteta's team confirm a top-eight finish in the Champions League next week.
The Gunners have a 99.96 per cent chance of bypassing February's two-legged play-off with only a heavy defeat against Girona on Wednesday plus a series of other improbable results bumping them down to ninth place.
And that would leave them without a game for 10 days because they are out of the FA Cup, enabling Arteta and co to repeat last season's successful trip to the Emirate.
Arsenal embarked on a run of 16 wins in 18 league games after their trip in January 2024 as they pushed Manchester City to the final day in the Premier League. They currently trail leaders Liverpool by six points with an extra game played.
Asked about potentially taking a rejuvenating trip following the comfortable 3-0 win against Dinamo Zagreb, Arteta said: “If we earn the right to do that, that would be great because obviously it has been a super busy schedule with a lot of demands and things that happen.
“There have been even more demands, especially on the players. So, if we can achieve that, that would be great."
Declan Rice struck their fastest Champions League goal since 2014 against Dinamo, finding the net after 104 seconds, with Kai Havertz scoring the 500th goal of his time in charge before Martin Odegaard added a late third
And Arteta joked that he was “struggling” to get his head around the permutations. “A lot of things have to happen [to drop out of the top eight] but we still have to go to Girona and do a good job,” he said.
“I’m really happy overall. It's a massive step tonight, putting us in a really strong position. We scored three, created plenty and didn't concede many shots.”
Arteta also hailed Rice for a dynamic performance that he believes signals the midfielder is back to top form. Rice has been dealing with a nagging foot injury having started the campaign still feeling fatigued from last summer's Euros.
"The good thing with Dec is he's so consistent, so reliable. He's always there,” Arteta added. "His intent, purpose, especially attacking, how he's driving with this ball. Today he could have scored two goals. I’m very happy because we need to affect the game from those positions. He is doing that.”
Rice, meanwhile, said that he hopes the win can help the Gunners build momentum as they seek to close the gap on Liverpool in the Premier League.
“What I learnt from last year is that you need to be there or thereabouts at this time of the season and we are at the minute,” Rice said. "We need to keep winning games. It's been a tough month but we’ll keep being positive."