Champions League reaction

1. Arsenal keep last-16 hopes alive
2. Result: Maccabi Tel Aviv 0-4 Chelsea
3. Chelsea need point in final game to qualify
4. Result: Barcelona 6-1 Roma (Suarez 2, Messi 2)

Good night everyone - head over to the BBC Football page for all of the reports, reaction and more from a busy night of football.

Wenger in hopeful mood

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Emirates Stadium

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes they can make the Champions League group stage by getting the win they need against Olympiakos in Greece.

He said: "We had to come out of tonight with a chance to get through. We have - now let's make right what we did not get right up to now."

A new tracksuit?

'Lucky to lose 6-1'

AP

Maicon, Roma defender: "We tried to play our football but tonight we didn't manage to do anything. We were lucky to lose only 6-1 actually. Our objectives for the season do not change but we have to play differently from tonight. We never really tried to play, we did zero, nothing."

AFP

It must happen every week but Jose Mourinho has confirmed that he had an argument with Diego Costa this evening over the forward's lack of movement - but they made up at half-time. No doubt a few headlines will still be written on that...

League Two round-up

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Northampton are just two points off the top after a 2-1 win at Crawley. Leaders Plymouth and second-placed Oxford both drew 1-1, against Leyton Orient and Newport.

Portsmouth thrashed York 6-0, while Carlisle joined them in the play-off places after a roller-coaster 4-3 win at Luton as the home side squandered a 3-1 lead.

Dagenham and Redbridge climb off the bottom after a 1-0 win at Wimbledon. Yeovil drop to the basement after losing 1-0 to Wycombe.

Must-see Mesut

Mesut Ozil has now been involved in 11 goals in his last nine appearances (all competitions).

Ozil scored only his second ever headed goal tonight in any competition (also v Norwich in October 2013).

'I've never seen Ozil in the box so much'

AP

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on BT Sport: "It promises to be a very interesting game [against Olympiakos], but at least we have a chance. I think Mesut Ozil had an outstanding first half, he has got the taste for scoring now. I have never seen Ozil in the box so many times as in the last five or six games.

"The Europa League is not the target - let us give everything to remain in the Champions League."

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill, speaking to BT Sport: "It takes it into the last game but we also need to build confidence and momentum and it gets us going in the right direction."

'I'm happy with two injuries'

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho: "It was very important especially with what happened in Porto. It is also important to have two victories in a few days. I hope tranquility comes, morale comes, confidence comes.

"In this moment we are in a good position. They [Maccabi] don't deserve such a hard punishment, they did OK for periods of the game with 10 men.

"Asmir Begovic had a beautiful hand to keep a clean sheet. The pitch doesn't help, it was really difficult for us. One injury yesterday with Ramires, one for John Terry today and I'm happy with just two. The pitch is really bad. John is a doubt for the weekend but I don't want to speak without tests." 

League One round-up

PA

Leaders Coventry saw their advantage cut to one point after they were held to a goalless draw at Bradford. Second-placed Gillingham took full advantage with a 2-0 win over Rochdale.

In the play-off places, Burton leap-frogged Wigan into third after a 1-0 win at the DW. Walsall drop to fourth after losing at strugglers Swindon. 

Bottom side Crewe came from 2-0 down to beat Colchester 3-2, with Ryan Lowe netting a 93rd-minute winner.

What next?

Chelsea

Chelsea, Dynamo Kiev and Porto can all end up on 11 points in Group G - a statistical confusion if ever there was one.

But, because of head-to-head records Chelsea need just a point against Porto in the final game. 

In Arsenal's hands

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Emirates Stadium

Arsenal have more than enough talent to get the 2-0 win - or any win if they score three or more - against Olympiakos in Greece to secure a place in the knockout phase in their final group game.

But it will be a hostile, fierce test of temperament and the Gunners have been found wanting before.

Make no mistake, if they do not get out of this Champions League group it must be treated as a dismal failure.

What next?

Arsenal

A 2-0 win for Arsenal in their final game against Olympiakos or any win with a two-goal cushion (eg 3-1) would put the Gunners through.

To the wire! 

'We're going to play for our lives'

AFP

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin: "The team knew it was a very important day today - everyone had to turn up and they did. Now we're going to play for our lives [against Olympiakos]. The team is showing we have got a lot of quality, a lot of creativity. When we have all our players back, we're going to be up there."

Chelsea have found a way to get back to winning ways, and it helps scoring from set-pieces. Willian's free-kick and headers from corners from Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma got them rolling. 

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Mahesh: All the optimism and accolades about Arsenal performance today are laughable - it was against the whipping boys of the group.

Abdullah: Chelsea defenders seem to be the best strikers, two goals from defenders today, Cahill and Zouma.

FULL-TIME

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Have Chelsea turned the corner?

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Jay: Wasn't this supposed to be a horrible season for English clubs in the Champions League?

Still playing in Haifa, where Loic Remy and Maccabi keeper Predrag Rajkovic come together in a horrid collision. Ouch indeed. A lengthy stoppage but thankfully it looks like they are both going to be OK.

Dzeko finally gets on the scoresheet

At least he kept on plugging away.

Former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, who missed a headed sitter and a penalty, heads in for Roma in stoppage time.

'A joy to watch'

Jermaine Jenas

Ex-Spurs and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

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"It was at the top of the pitch where the game was done. Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez were a joy to watch, but Joel Campbell was superb too - especially in the second half."

GOAL - Maccabi Tel Aviv 0-4 Chelsea

Reuters

Another goal from a set-piece, that's three tonight. Kurt Zouma rises unmarked to meet a corner and head home.

FULL-TIME

Job very well done. 

CLOSE!

Pedro fizzes a shot away from a tight angle and it is inches away from the far corner...

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Tom Reid: Possibly the best Champions League night for goals.

Nico Kyriazis: On balance, probably the most exaggeratedly predictable night of Champions League football ever.

Jermaine Jenas

Ex-Spurs and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

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"Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil have been linking well for a couple of weeks now, and some of the moves they put together are just phenomenal. Two headed goals from Ozil would have been a first!"

Roma have a penalty....

Consolation goal time for Roma surely?

Defender Thomas Vermaelen fouls Edin Dzeko. The former Manchester City man elects to take it, but fires his effort at Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Not a great night for the Italy side.

CLOSE!

So nearly a brilliant goal! Alexis Sanchez is the ball-carrier, he flops the ball over the defence and perfectly onto the run of Mesut Ozil, the keeper is out and Ozil back-heads it over him - but a yard wide. Brilliant link-up play between the two of them. 

Jermaine Jenas

Ex-Spurs and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"Arsenal have played very well. Zagreb came to sit in and try to play on the counter-attack, but it was only a matter of time before Arsenal picked them off and started working in the areas that they want to work in."

We think - not confirmed - that Chelsea will qualify for the last 16 with a draw against Porto in their final group game. 

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Tom Chance: Great cross from Baba Rahman. Has had some stick for his defending at times, but that was top class.

Jonny Duchezeau: What a cross by Baba Rahman, Chelsea have been missing a full back who can put a ball into dangerous areas.

That's 10 goals in four days against Real Madrid and Roma for Barcelona. What's a par score at the Nou Camp?

Jermaine Jenas

Ex-Spurs and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"Calum Chambers in midfield makes sense. He's not going to have the impact that Francis Coquelin has got, but he's got a defensive mindset and fresh young legs. I think Arsene Wenger can develop him into a top defensive midfield player."

Neymar misses pen; Adriano lashes in

AP

Neymar still cannot get on the scoresheet.

He wins a penalty after he is fouled by Salih Ucan. However, his resulting poor penalty is easily saved by Wojciech Szczesny.

Unfortunately for the Poland keeper, Adriano, following up, smashed in the rebound.

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Javel Bleach: Willian: he's a bit of a phenomenon, isn't he? Keepers KNOW what he's going to do & still can't react.

Ola Ozone: Stand down Messi...Willian is the new free-kick king.

Wasiyullah Budye: Willian and free kicks are a better love story than Twilight.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Santi Cazorla and Hector Bellerin come off, Mathieu Debuchy and Calum Chambers come on. So we will see Chambers in that midfield role. 

GOAL - Maccabi Tel Aviv 0-3 Chelsea

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Chelsea are finally making that extra man count and are cantering to a win now. This one is all down to Baba Rahman on the left. He puts over a teasing cross and Oscar, arriving like Paul Scholes, nods in from close range. Great cross, good night's work. 

Jermaine Jenas

Ex-Spurs and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"I think that's a penalty. Eduardo has stopped Alexis Sanchez coming inside and hitting that one."

PENALTY APPEAL

The superb Alexis Sanchez weaves into the penalty area down the left, Eduardo steps out and there's contact - penalty? Referee Viktor Kassai says no.

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Francis Edwards: Only one team in the world who can go down to 10 men and look like they're playing with 14, that is FC Bayern Munich.

Teen Coman scores Bayern's fourth

Reuters

France winger Kingsley Coman, who played against England recently, nods in Thomas Muller's headed ball in the area.

This is easy street for the German champions - but did we expect anything else?

GOAL - Maccabi Tel Aviv 0-2 Chelsea

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Willian. Free-kick. Over the wall. Bottom corner. Standard.

Where would they be without the Brazilian this season? It's his fourth free-kick in the Champions League alone...

Jermaine Jenas

Ex-Spurs and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

On Arsenal's chances of winning a last-16 tie: "Over two legs I'm not sure they have what it takes defensively."

SUBSTITUTION - TERRY INJURY

Reuters

John Terry has picked up an injury - I didn't see what happened - but he is leaving the field on a stretcher. Kurt Zouma is on. 

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EPA

Simon Murphy: Fabregas has been woeful once again. Give Loftus-Cheek a chance!

Andrew Neill: Hard work done for Arsenal. Get Ozil or Sanchez off with Jeff Reine-Adelaide coming on!

SUBSTITUTION

Eden Hazard, it's just not happening for him. He comes off and Pedro is on for the last 20 minutes. Remember, as it stands Chelsea are not through tonight. 

Jermaine Jenas

Ex-Spurs and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"That goal was all about Joel Campbell. He's had a brilliant game. He threads a fantastic ball between the two defenders - I don't know how he saw it. Alexis Sanchez does brilliantly to take it round the keeper."

GOAL - Arsenal 3-0 Dinamo Zagreb

Reuters

Well played Joel Campbell! He cuts in from the right, plays a reverse pass which takes four defenders out of the game and finds Alexis Sanchez jagging across goal. Sanchez skips around the keeper and buries his shot from a tight angle. 

Jermaine Jenas

Ex-Spurs and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

Reuters

"I think Olivier Giroud has looked a little tired and subdued today. None of the injured Arsenal players has been missed more than Aaron Ramsey - the job that he does is hard to replicate."

SUBSTITUTION - RAMSEY RETURNS

Aaron Ramsey is back after a long spell out injured. He's just become a new dad too. Just over 20 minutes left for him to have a run out. Get back up to speed. 

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Lifa Nati: A lot of those Chelsea players don't look interested against 10 men. Why is the manager not making any changes?

CLOSE!

A flurry of chances at either end! Eden Hazard has a stinging half-volley well saved, Cesar Azpilicueta then also sees his strike pushed clear before the hosts counter and Eran Zahavi has a shot saved by Asmir Begovic. A second Chelsea goal is definitely needed to settle the nerves.

All quiet at Arsenal

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Emirates Stadium

This game is already being played as if it is moving towards an inevitable conclusion as Arsenal remain in complete command.

Of course one goal from Dinamo Zagreb would change the mood completely but it is hard to see where that is coming from at the moment.

Messi piles on Roma misery

AP

Poor Wojciech Szczesny. The Roma keeper, on loan from Arsenal, fails to push away Lionel Messi's first-time shot, allowing the Argentine to tap in his second.

Guess which players combined in the build-up?

Neymar on the left, laid the ball of to Luis Suarez, whose mishit shot arrived at the feet of Messi, who did the rest.

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AP

All this talk of "pass master" Cazorla is laughable. Are people forgetting his performances against Spurs and West Brom?

Jon in Cardiff

Slight reality check Arsenal fans. This is a League One quality opposition, hardly a guide to beating Barcelona in round 2!

Paul in London

Joel Campbell is the man on the end of a neat passing move, a defender just gets a slight touch to the ball and it puts the Costa Rican off a touch, and he shins the effort wide in the end. 

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AFP

Viv:@ChelseaFC really needs to step it up a notch. Goals needed to kill off this game before they concede an equaliser.

Arsenal are not exactly going through the motions but they are taking it easy now. They know they've done the hard work. 

Ian Dennis

BBC Radio 5 live senior football reporter

AP

"With the quality that Arsenal have, you wouldn't bet against them getting the result they need at Olympiakos."

Pique makes it four

Reuters

Defender Gerard Pique scores. What was he doing up front?

Yet again Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi combine. Pique is left just to tap in Argentine Messi's square ball.

Pique celebrates and is then makes way for Marc Bartra.

Pique spent the last 10 minutes of El Clasico up front sniffing a goal. A maverick.

Bayern down to 10 men

Reuters

Bayern defender Holger Badstuber is shown red for bringing down former West Brom forward Brown Ideye.

Hope for the Greek club?

Excellent play from Baba Rahman as he eats up ground down the left before picking out Eden Hazard in the middle. Is it a tap-in for the Belgian? No, he just doesn't get there and it's cleared. A lack of conviction there. 

SHOWBOAT

Brilliant from Alexis Sanchez. Brilliant skill to perform a seal dribble past four men, bobbing the ball along almost on his nose. 

Remember Kerlon?

GREAT SAVE!

Reuters

Eden Hazard has got lots of strings to his bow but tracking back is not one of them. He just points at his man, Eli Dasa, as if hoping that someone else will pick him up. They don't, Dasa is in on goal but Asmir Begovic makes a top-class stop.

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Eddie: Flamini with 35 passes so far; 2nd only to pass-master #Cazorla. Blimey..certainly grabbing his chance to impress.

KICK-OFF

And now Chelsea are back in play in Haifa. As it stands it won't be quite enough to see them qualify tonight. They need to better Dynamo Kiev's result in Porto. 

GREAT SAVE!

Arsenal out flying, Santi Cazorla hammers a shot on goal before Olivier Giroud flicks a header which causes Eduardo to make a decent save. 

As a short aside, if you can find me a team who have had a better few days than Northampton Town I'd like to hear it.

And if you like a great post-match interview (a rare beast) track down Chris Wilder's interview at Notts County on Saturday.

Here endeth the lesson.

Football League update

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In League Two, Northampton - who have this week taken a huge step towards financial survival -  are currently on their way up to second in the standings as they lead 2-0 at Crawley at half-time.

In other games, Leyton Orient are also winning away from home. They are 1-0 up at Plymouth.

In fact, it is a good night for many away sides in the division so far. Cambridge United are winning 3-1 at Morecambe,Exeter lead Mansfield 2-0 and Newport are 1-0 up at Oxford United.

Jermaine Jenas

Ex-Spurs and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

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"For me, if Rooney's fit, he should play for Manchester United against PSV Eindhoven. He's the captain and he's the best option up front."

KICK-OFF

Back under way.

Football League half-time

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In domestic action, Gillingham are looking to close the gap on leaders Coventry in League One and they are 1-0 up against Rochdale, Bradley Dack with the goal. Coventry are currently being held goalless by Bradford.

Elsewhere, struggling Swindon are 1-0 up against high-flying Walsall at the break in League One, Jon Obika with the goal, while Shrewsbury and Southend are looking good for away wins. They lead Oldham and Sheffield United 2-0 and 3-1 respectively.

Barnsley, in the relegation zone, are drawing 1-1 at Peterborough, while Colchester are 1-0 up at home to bottom-of-the-table Crewe.

Tiki-taka

Barcelona played 421 passes in that first half, or 9.35 a minute. Or one every six seconds. Ish. 

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Luke: How did the Premiership clubs overlook Douglas Costa for £20m? He even makes Hazard look useless.

Suarez scores a sublime second

AP

Luis Suarezscores his second with a ridiculously good finish.

The former Liverpool forward volleys in from 15 yards out with the outside of his boot. A stunning strike.

Roma want to hear the full-time whistle, not the half-time whistle.

Can anyone stop Barcelona? Maybe Bayern Munich. Maybe...

Elsewhere in Europe

EPA

Bayern Munichare set to claim top spot in Group F thanks to goals from Douglas Costa, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller that have put them 3-0 up at second place Olympiakos.

Barcelonaare 3-0 up against Roma. Goals from Luis Suarez and another sublime effort from Lionel Messi, making his first start since injury. Well, well , well worth a watch if you can. 

HALF-TIME

Chelsea a goal up and a man up.

HALF-TIME

An excellent 45 minutes for Arsenal.

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Reuters

Jeroen Verheggen: All I want for Christmas is a world class striker and holding midfielder and we could win @ChampionsLeague with @Arsenal.

Goonerama: Excellent. Now, you know best Arsene, but... *please* give Sanchez 45 mins' rest and bring on Chambers alongside Flamini.

Highway to the danger zone

Arsenal winning 21-3 when it comes to touches inside the opposition penalty area. 

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Arsenal's touch map is on the left, Dinamo Zagreb's on the right

GREAT SAVE!

Arsenal are purring along now - Mesut Ozil's low shot is turned away but it was another driving run from Nacho Monreal which set up the chance. The left back is thoroughly enjoying himself. 

Jermaine Jenas

Ex-Spurs and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"That doesn't surprise me. I've trained with Tal Ben Haim - he loves a tackle."

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Nat297: Sanchez is a magician!

Vishnu Ladwa: Absolute shambolic defending by Dinamo! But the end result is quality! Come on you Gunners.

RED CARD - Tal Ben Haim

Reuters

Tal Ben Haim (I) the former Chelsea defender, sees red for a crazy lunge on Diego Costa. We all know Costa is a wind-up merchant and he has obviously got to his man, as Ben Haim just volleys Costa into the sky. He has to go. Crazy!

CLOSE!

Mesut Ozil playing like the £42m playmaker that he is tonight, gliding away from trouble and having a shot turned away. Almost a third!

Chelsea's best route to goal remains a set-piece as Willian's free-kick is close.

A goal for Dynamo Kiev in Porto means that Chelsea would not qualify tonight now as it stands. 

Arsenal in control

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Emirates Stadium

Rex Features

After a slow start those two quick goals have put Arsenal in complete command - and ready to take this Champions League group down to the wire.

Mesut Ozil is pulling all the strings while the energy and power of Alexis Sanchez is too much for Dinamo Zagreb.

Jermaine Jenas

Ex-Spurs and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"You can't afford to come to the Emirates and gift opportunities like that. I don't know why you would try and play that ball in that situation - just clear your lines. It's brilliant from Nacho Monreal to be on the front foot though."

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Luke: What a goal by Arsenal! Cazorla is such a joy to watch. He made that skinning four on the edge of his own box!

David Johnson: Ozil scores with a diving header. Pretty sure there's a pig flying somewhere.

GOAL - Arsenal 2-0 Dinamo Zagreb

Reuters

He made the first, and he scores the second as Arsenal take a commanding grip on this game and on their Champions League hopes. It's a horrible error from a Dinamo defender though as he tries to play a pass INSIDE his own area, Nacho Monreal cuts it out, beats a man and squares it for the simplest of tap-ins for Alexis Sanchez. The Emirates is lifted, buzzing now. Arsenal are winning and Bayern Munich are in cruise control. All is well for the Gunners. 

You've lost me lads - I'm out of my depth. You lost me at diagnostics...

In Haifa Diego Costa is close to a second for Chelsea but his overhead kick is always flying wide. 

Get Involved

Ahmed in Leicester (see 19:55) is trying to find a solution whilst revising for diagnostic radiography. I'm trying to find out possible pathologies Arsene Wenger might have to not be able to hear the screams of Arsenal fans to sign a world-class striker whilst revising for my diagnostic audiology exam! Together we will find a solution!

Aamaar in London

Oh Lionel...

Twenty-seven passes, six touches for Lionel Messi, four for Neymar and two (including the final assist) for Luis Suarez.

What. A. Goal.

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Jermaine Jenas

Ex-Spurs and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"It's brilliant from Alexis Sanchez. It's just a little clip into the six-yard box, and Ozil times his run to perfection, and he's brave too - he could have taken one to the face. The keeper really should be looking to come out there."

GOAL - Arsenal 1-0 Dinamo Zagreb

Reuters

Vintage Arsenal. A really brilliant goal which starts on the edge of their own box, Olivier Giroud gets a foot in to flick the ball to Mesut Ozil and the counter attack is on. Speed merchant Alexis Sanchez takes the ball on at lightning pace, he carries it what, 50 yards downfield? And then a cross to find Ozil haring in and the German applies a flying header. 

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SVieira: What are the odds on a Barca - Bayern final? They are far and away the best teams in the world right now.

Arsenal look very neat and tidy tonight but they've yet to test Eduardo in the Zagreb goal. The Emirates crowd could get nervy if it stays 0-0 for much longer...

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Matt Fallon: Bayern result is done and dusted. We win 2 games and we're through. #simple

Bernard Ryan: Bayern 3-0 up after 20 minutes in the Allianz. If the chance to take advantage wasn't screaming at Arsenal already, it is now.

As it stands, Chelsea are going through to the last 16. Will that goal stem the counter attacks from the hosts?

More good news for the Gunners

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Surely it's game over in Munich? Bayern are now 3-0 up against Olympiakos - Thomas Muller tapping in from close range - as the German champions continue to rip their Greek opponents apart.

Barring a miracle in that one, a victory for Arsenal will keep their Champions League hopes alive.

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Skeeta: Revising also for my final financial adviser exam. Could use #bbcfootball to get myself some professional footballers as future clients?

Jose Mourinho has just been out on to the pitch to tend to that surface too. He gave a clump of turf a good kicking. 

Now Messi scores

AFP

Dazzling! Just dazzling!

Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi combine, with the Argentine providing a familiar dinked finish over the reach of Wojciech Szczesny, who is set for a very busy night.

That was Messi's 78th Champions League goal.

GOAL - Maccabi Tel Aviv 0-1 Chelsea

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Chelsea take the lead - but there was a sensational save in the build up! It's another set-piece goal for the Blues as Willian's corner is met by Gary Cahill, his header is somehow turned on to the post by Predrag Rajkovic, a superb stop, but Cahill reacts to meet the loose ball and hammer home. 

Jermaine Jenas

Ex-Spurs and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"It's important that you don't just camp in when you come to the Emirates. A team like Arsenal will wear you down. Dinamo are doing exactly the right thing - they're picking the right moments to attack."

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Chris Wellman: Poor the amount of empty seats at The Emirates. It's the Champions League, not a league cup game against lower-league opposition!

Lovina Ironkwa: Bayern winning does not change anything. What guarantee do we have that Arsenal will win tonight?

Now it's up to Arsenal

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Emirates Stadium

All going exactly as Arsenal want it in the other group game as Bayern Munich threaten to run away with it against Olympiakos.

Now Arsenal need to win this one but it has all been rather quiet here so far. Plenty of possession for Arsenal but no real chances in a subdued atmosphere.

Reuters

More good news for Arsenal as Bayern stretch their lead - Robert Lewandowski hitting hard and true.

Suarez scores

It was only a matter of time Barcelona would fine the net. Luis Suarez scores for the European champions against Roma.

Barcelona, who have qualified from Group E, have been knocking on the door since the first whistle.

Lionel Messi, making his first start in two months, had the ball in the net and fired wide earlier.

Jermaine Jenas

Ex-Spurs and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

Rex Features

"He must be a dream to play with, Alexis Sanchez. Apart from everything he offers going forward, when Arsenal lose the ball, he sprints back to make sure that they regain possession."

Chelsea now having all sorts of possession but - as on many an occasion this season - they look very fragile in front of goal. When there is a shot on, they lay it off. When they could take on a man they don't.

That Bayern Munich goal - just to clarify - is excellent news for Arsenal and her followers.

An Arsenal win, and a Bayern win, means that Arsenal live to see another week in the Champions League.

Jermaine Jenas

Ex-Spurs and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"It was brilliant play from Joel Campbell - he does the right thing to fire it out wide to Alexis Sanchez. What Sanchez does wrong is to cut inside - he should have gone on the outside and got a shot away."

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Eddie: Won't tire of saying #Ozil is a joy to watch with a ball at his feet. Poetry in motion. Worth admittance fee alone.

Costa gives Bayern the lead

Bayern Munich are doing their bit for Arsenal. The imperious German champions are 1-0 up against Olympiakos thanks to Douglas Costa's eighth minute effort. A draw in this match would end the Gunners' hopes of making the knockout stage.

Elsewhere, Group H bottom side Lyon are leading Gent as a result of Jordan Ferri's strike.

AFP

Anyone following the live text while doing anything more high-brow than that? Top work Ahmed.

Arsenal are playing some really nice stuff now, first Mesut Ozil is almost lofted in over the top and then Hector Bellerin has a shot blocked.

Good news though...

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Revising for diagnostic radiography exams while checking the BBC Sport page for Arsenal updates. Searching my way through knee and ankle joints hoping to come to a solution for Wenger on minimising injuries!

Ahmed from Leicester

Jermaine Jenas

Ex-Spurs and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"You can already see some of the problems that Arsenal are going to be coming up against. At one stage, Dinamo Zagreb had all their players back around the six-yard box. It's going to be very important for Arsenal to use the width tonight - Hector Bellerin is a key player."

Good chance for Chelsea now in an end-to-end game, Cesar Azpilicueta shoots over after a one-two with Oscar. 

Get Involved

AFP

Kiriama 16: I love seeing Wenger in a suit, the moment he wears his jacket I always smell danger.

Arsenal are having a right flurry of injuries again but they put together a neat flowing move down the right, it is cut back and Santi Cazorla leans back and fires well over the crossbar. 

An early Gunners goal would settle the nerves down. 

Jermaine Jenas

Ex-Spurs and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"It's well documented that Arsene Wenger likes his heavy, sand-based pitches. They're beautiful to play on, but when I trained there with England, you used to feel the impact on your joints."

Chelsea look a mess at the back as again they are cut open all too easily. Eran Zahavi is away down the left, his cross is hurriedly sliced out by John Terry and Eli Dasa fires over. Fine start from the hosts. 

CLOSE!

Chelsea should already be behind, what a chance this is. A free header for Dor Peretz, four yards out, but he closes his eyes and heads it over. 50p head!

Zagreb force a second early corner, Arsenal looking shaky in the very early stages.

Remember Arsenal must win tonight - and then hope Bayern beat Olympiakos.

KICK-OFF

And game on in Haifa too.

KICK-OFF

Getty Images

We are under way!

A very sharp opening from the visitors sees them skip through the home ranks and win a corner.

Tal Ben Haim (I) is the recipient of plenty of hand slaps from those Chelsea players who have played with him in the past. A sea of yellow and blue inside the Sammy Ofer Stadium.

RE: Mourinho's pitch problems - one goalmouth looks particularly scarred. 

Apologies if this is old news, but I'm impressed - Arsenal put on a fancy light show ahead of the players emerging at the Emirates. In the old days it used to take 90 minutes to fire up the floodlights...

Cutting it fine

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Emirates Stadium

Thousands of empty seats at Emirates Stadium less than 10 minutes before kick-off - but seen this one before here when the latecomers roll up right on kick-off.

Sure Arsenal's fans have not given up on this Champions League campaign just yet.

All set for the game at the Emirates - but it's far from full.

A reminder - Arsenal must win. 

What was he going for here?

Reuters

No words.

Lose tonight and Arsenal may avoid a spiral of results earlier than April Max!

Get Involved

Max Seitler: Wenger's Plan: don't qualify, don't get thumped by European Giant in last 16, and avoid yearly spiral of results in April.

Joe Wedgwood: Fed up with fickle @Arsenal fans! This talk of 'deliberately wanting elimination' is just pathetic!

Glory days

Did we take the Premier League's dominance of the Champions League for granted?

Eight finalists in eight years, 14 teams in the semi-finals over the same period. Not a single team in the last eight last year.

BBC

Was 2005-12 the last golden era of English football in Europe?

And this year?

Dreams can come true

Get Inspired

Get Inspired

Have you ever dreamed of playing in the FA Cup? Course you have!

BBC Get Inspired has again teamed up with the Football Association and the country's leading small-pitch football providers to launch the 2016 FA People's Cup, a free knockout competition that will give the people of England the chance to play in their version of the FA Cup.

From Sunday League regulars to folk who have only kicked a ball in their back yard, the tournament offers everyone the opportunity to follow in the path of legends on the road to Cup glory.

Find out more here.

No such pitch concerns at the Emirates of course. A carpet of green awaits the players. Not long now.

Pitch perfect?

Jose Mourinho has gone early with his shout against the surface. It's hard to say whether he has a point or not yet - it does look to be cutting up a touch during the warm up. We'll see how it takes a John Terry challenge. 

'Calm down and carry on'

Conor McNamara

BBC Radio 5 live in Tel Aviv

"I think Mourinho just wants his team to get on a run now: calm down, and get back to winning ways. Silverware can wait for later in the season."

Unwanted record?

Arsenal

If Arsenal do lose tonight, it will be their 50th defeat in the Champions League; only three sides have already reached that milestone (Porto, Galatasaray and Olympiakos).

Get Involved

Joseph Maxwell: Could Arsenal win Premier League or Champions League with a player transfer policy that smacks of non-league philosophy?

Cheddar Football: Let's purposely get eliminated from club football's holy grail & take a punt at just happening to chance upon winning the title.

'A really bad pitch'

Chelsea

Jose Mourinho says the pitch in Haifa "is really bad." He says he expects a tough game on "a heavy, slow pitch."

'I won't need any special information'

Arsenal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been speaking before his side's game against Olympiakos.

On his team selection: "I've put players who know their positions in those positions and I didn’t want to be too adventurous with Aaron Ramsey after 31 days out."

On keeping an ear on Bayern v Olympiakos: "I won’t need any special information about what is happening in Munich but I will be told anyway."

Is doping accepted?

In the build-up to tonight's game, Arsene Wenger criticised Uefa's drug regulations, saying current rules "basically accept doping".

The Arsenal manager's comments come after Dinamo Zagreb's Arijan Ademi was banned for four years for failing a test after his side's Champions League win over the Gunners in September.

Dinamo have not been disqualified from the competition as regulations state two or more players must test positive before that punishment is considered.

Wenger said the rule was "surprising".

Do you not remember Paris 2006 Max?

Get Involved

Flobalob: Arsenal's CL future may look bleak but realistically they're not. Arsenal and Bayern can both beat Zagreb and Olympiakos.

Max Baggins-Craig: To many, Arsenal haven't really ever taken this competition seriously, they need an attitude/approach change if anything, simple.

Elsewhere in Europe

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Bayern Munich and Olympiakos meet tonight knowing a draw would take both through to the Champions League last 16 and eliminate Arsenal.

Germans Bayern are top of Group F on nine points, level with Olympiakos, after four of the six games, with Arsenal third on three points.

Elsehwere, Porto will undoubtedly fancy their chances of reaching the Champions League knockout stage tonight.

The Portuguese side are top of Group G with 10 points, three ahead of Chelsea, and need to pick up just a point against Dynamo Kiev - who have managed to win just five of their previous 35 group games. 

Finally, Lyon, bottom of Group H with one point, need to beat Gent and hope leaders Zenit beat Valencia to keep their hopes of progressing alive.

BBC African Footballer of the Year

.

A reminder that there is still time to vote for the BBC African Footballer of the Year.

Algeria's Yacine Brahimi, the 2014 winner, is on the shortlist along with Gabon's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ghanaian Andre Ayew, Senegal's Sadio Mane and Yaya Toure of Ivory Coast.

You have until 18:00 GMT on 30 November to vote for your choice. Terms and conditions can be found here.

Live coverage

BBC Radio 5 Live

Make sure you stick the wireless on this evening, as BBC Radio 5 live will be following all the action from around Europe.

Arsenal v Dinamo Zagreb will be the main game, with commentary from Ian Dennis and Jermaine Jenas, and analysis from European football expert Andy Brassell.

Meanwhile, Conor McNamara will be providing updates from Maccabi Tel Aviv v Chelsea.

Help a man out

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Can Arsenal be trusted to deliver?

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Emirates Stadium

Arsenal should have the ammunition to beat Dinamo Zagreb and keep their part of tonight's Champions League bargain - but they also should have beaten Monaco at Emirates Stadium last season and Olympiakos here during this campaign.

The Monaco defeat wrecked their chances last season and the Olympiakos loss, coupled with a defeat away to tonight's opponents earlier in the group, are results that have left them in real trouble in the Champions League.

So can Arsenal be trusted to deliver? The recent evidence suggests you wouldn't back them with complete confidence.

Surely tonight though...

'I'd like to see Chambers in midfield'

Jermaine Jenas

Ex-Spurs and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"It would be interesting to see Arsene Wenger give Calum Chambers a run in that defensive midfield position. We've seen how well it's worked for Eric Dier at Spurs and I think Chambers is very similar to Dier: good stature, good on the ball."

Friends reunited

UEFAcomBoaz

Here he is - Tal Ben Haim I has been reunited with John Terry I.

Team news

Arsenal

Arsenal respond to the injuries of Francis Coquelin and Mikel Arteta by recalling Mathieu Flamini, who recently announced that he has developed a chemical process that could reduce the dependence on fossil fuels. Honest.

Jeff Reine-Adelaide, a 17-year-old French winger described as "something special" by Arsene Wenger, is on the bench and could make his first senior appearance.  

BreakingMatch OFF

Talk about short notice...

The League Two match between Accrington and Hartlepool has been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.   

There is a full (well, not now) schedule in Leagues One and Two tonight. Follow the latest live scores here. 

There's only two Ben Haims!

Getty Images

Tal Ben Haim

Maccabi Tel Aviv are managed by Slavisa Jokanovic, who took Watford into the Premier League just six months ago.

They also have former Chelsea (and Bolton, Portsmouth, Manchester City, Sunderland, er, QPR. West Ham and Charlton) defender Tal Ben Haim.

And what's better than one Tal Ben Haim? Two of course!Yep, striker Tal Ben Haim (below) brilliantly goes by the name of Tal Ben Haim II. They both start. The sequel and the prequel. 

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Tal Ben Haim

Barca qualify for knockout stage

Getty Images

The fight for second place in Group E remains tight after Bayer Leverkusen drew 1-1 with Bate Borisov.

The German side are level on five points with second-placed Roma, while Bate have four points. Leaders Barcelona have qualified for the knockout stage as a result of Leverkusen's failure to win.

Roma face Barca, who hand Lionel Messi his first start in two months after he fully recovered from a knee injury.

Zenit St Petersburg, who have already qualified for the knockout stage, made it five wins out of five in Group H with a 2-0 win over second-placed Valencia.

The Spanish side finished with 10 men after Ruben Vezo was sent off.

Get Involved

PA

Carlton: Premier League winner

Since Arsenal last lifted the Premier League trophy Stefan Savic, Carlton Cole and Kieran Richardson have all pocketed a winner's medal.

Robert Huth has won two.

John O'Shea and Darren Fletcher have won four.

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Remember this Arsenal fans?

Arsenal have reached the last 16 of the Champions League for 15 successive seasons - but are in serious danger of ending that run this year.

However, they have also not won the Premier League in 11 years. Would going out early in Europe help life back home?

Could this perversely be Arsene Wenger's best chance of winning the title in a decade?

Let us know where Wenger should be concentrating his efforts.

Text us on 81111 (UK Only - pop your names on there) or tweet us using #bbcfootball.

'Arsenal should be out to win the league'

Jermaine Jenas

Ex-Spurs and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"For too long the 'top four' ambition has brought Arsenal down. It's time they set their stall out to win the league. 

"If Arsenal fail to win the title this season because of failing to strengthen adequately in the summer window - it's unforgivable, not signing someone to play alongside Coquelin. If they'd signed Morgan Schneiderlin or Sami Khedira, it would have made a real statement of intent. It's poor management."

Team news

Chelsea

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho makes four changes to the side that beat Norwich at the weekend.

Cesar Azpilicueta, Baba Rahman, Gary Cahill and Oscar all come in for Branislav Ivanovic, Kurt Zouma, Kenedy and Pedro.

For the hosts, former Chelsea defender Tal Ben Haim starts.

Chelsea starting XI: Begovic; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Terry, Rahman; Fabregas, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa.

Subs: Blackman, Ivanovic, Zouma, Mikel, Loftus-Cheek, Pedro, Remy.  

Maccabi Tel Aviv XI: Rajkovic, Dasa, Ben Harush, Ben Haim, Carlos García, Alberman, Zahavi, Rikan, Igiebor, Peretz, Ben Chaim. 

Subs: Lifshitz, Tibi, Azulay, Mitrovic, Vermouth, Ben Basat, Itzhaki.

BreakingTeam News

Arsenal

Arsenal make two changes from the side which lost to West Brom. Mathieu Flamini replaces the stricken Francis Coquelin, and Joel Campbell starts instead of Kieran Gibbs. 

Problems on the road?

Chelsea

Jose Mourinho may have been looking forward to getting away from his side's Premier League struggles tonight but the Blues have won just two of their last 10 away games in the Champions League.

In that run they have scored more than one goal just once.

Square peg, round hole?

Arsenal have suffered their annual midfield injury crisis in the last few weeks, and it appears Arsene Wenger has nominated former Southampton defender Calum Chambers as a midfield option.

"He has a big stature, good technique, good vision as well," says Wenger in tonight's programme.

Arsenal's Eric Dier?

John Hartson

Former Arsenal striker

BreakingTeam news

Chelsea

Chelsea make four changes from the side which beat Norwich at the weekend. Gary Cahill is restored at centre-half and Oscar starts in midfield.

What do Chelsea need?

Chelsea

In tonight's other game featuring a Premier League side, Chelsea can seal a place in the last 16.

A late win against Dynamo Kiev on 4 November has made Jose Mourinho's side favourites for one of the qualifying places in Group G.

The Blues are three points behind leaders Porto, and will qualify for the knockout rounds if they win and Dynamo fail to do the same in Portugal.

What do Arsenal need?

Arsenal

It boils down to this tonight for Arsenal:

The Gunners, who lost 2-1 to Zagreb in the opening match of the Champions League campaign in September, need to win and hope Olympiakos lose to Bayern Munich to have any chance of taking second place in the group.

The Gunners visit Olympiakos on 9 December. It could be a winner-takes all clash...  

Heading out?

get

Pop music: 1999 style

November, 1999.

Grand Theft Auto 2 had just been released on the PlayStation, construction of the London Eye had just begun and Westlife, Christina Aguilera and Eiffel 65 were atop the music charts.

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Not a bad side...

A lifetime ago in many ways.

It was also the last time that Arsenal did not reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.

An Arsenal squad containing Seaman, Dixon, Keown, Vieira, Adams, Bergkamp, Kanu, Overmars, Ljungberg, Henry, Suker and Petit finished third in the group behind Barcelona and Fiorentina.

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He was nearly as good as Jamie Vardy

That Batigol strike (above) at Wembley - remember the Gunners switching their Champions League games? - ultimately proved decisive.

Tonight Arsenal could fail to qualify for the first time since. Grand Theft Auto may remain a big player on the big stage - but are Arsenal?