GRANIT XHAKA has indicated Arsenal owe it to their fans to progress further than the round of 16 in this season’s Champions League campaign.
The Gunners have shone so far in the competition, winning three of their opening four games in Group G and remaining unbeaten.
Tonight, Arsenal face a top-of-the-table showdown with French champions Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates (7.45pm).
Victory would guarantee first place with a game to go for Arsene Wenger, having drawn 1-1 at the Parc des Princes.
But their recent history of failure at the next hurdle makes finishing ahead of PSG crucial, Xhaka believes.
“This will be a game for the first and second places,” Xhaka told the club’s official website. “In Paris, we got a point and we saw that PSG are a top team with lots of quality.
“We now want to show them that we are playing at home and that we are a force at home. We want to keep first place.
“It has to be our goal to finish top of the group. Then we would play against the second team from another group which would also be important, so I hope we will finish top.
“It would be important for the fans, for the club, for us players. In the last few years, the team made it until the round of 16.
“Now we want to progress as far as possible. That is our goal.”
Arsenal predicted team to face Paris Saint-Germain
Tue, November 22, 2016Express Sport brings you Arsenal's predicted team for their Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain
Express Sport brings you Arsenal's predicted team to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League
The last six seasons has seen Arsenal crash out at the last 16 stage.
But Xhaka is aiming for more in his first year in north London.
The defensive midfielder could start tonight too against PSG with Santi Cazorla still absent.