I prefer the early arrival. If I am transiting on to somewhere else I will book a hotel for the day of departure and for the day of arrival, then I am sure to have a room. For example transiting through Paris, hotel at the airport for 2 nights, sleep till noon, visit the city, fly out next day. I have done the same at LGW. Recently I haven’t booked a room for the day of departure but I have had good luck with getting very early check in, in Madrid, Rome and Munich.