Arsene Wenger stresses importance of Arsenal topping Champions League group

Arsene Wenger has stressed the importance of Arsenal winning their Champions League group in a bid to aid their progress to the latter stages of the tournament.

The Gunners have been eliminated in the last 16 of the competition for six years running, and in five of those campaigns they finished runners-up in their group.

Ahead of Wednesday's home game against Basel, Wenger told Sky Sports News on Tuesday: "Last year, we made it difficult for ourselves.

"We have learned as well that in the group stage, it's not only important to qualify but, if possible, qualify as top of the group. It gives you many more chances after to go through.

"It's our target but the truth is on the pitch. We had a good game [against Chelsea] on Saturday but let's show that we can go from good game to good game and put the effort in, in every single game."

Arsenal claimed a point in their first Group A game, a 1-1 draw at Paris Saint-Germain.