Arsenal cannot be underestimated after successfully overthrowing the defending EPL champions and defending UCL champions Man City, Arteta now has the depth of a squad capable of conquering any challenge in various competitions. Even though we know their defeat against Lens was surprising, I agree with you that Arsenal can progress from the group phase this time. With their reputation this season, Arteta squad does have high self-confidence, they just need to improve their mentality to face big clubs in the next round.

The opportunity to meet Real Madrid or other big clubs is very open because they are not in the same group, but I think if there was another option, Arteta would prefer to avoid it. Not without reason, because the chance of beating a club as big as Real Madrid is very small, and the opposite could possibly happen. Beating Madrid is not enough with squad depth, an unbeaten record in the EPL League, or success in beating Man City, it cannot be used as a benchmark for beating Madrid.