Arsenal will aim to take a big step towards a top-eight finish as they host a Dinamo Zagreb side eager to hold on to their current position.
Mikel Arteta will want a swift reply from his team following another setback in the Premier League against Aston Villa. The Gunners appeared to be cruising towards a comfortable 2-0 win over their visitors on Saturday. Still, a period of sloppiness allowed Unai Emery’s side to score twice to equalise and hold on to the point. Next up for Arsenal will be Dinamo Zagreb in the UEFA Champions League
After closing the gap on Liverpool in the previous Premier League matchday, the draw against Aston Villa was a massive step backwards for the Gunners. Arteta’s side continues to miss a host of their key players, as the Arsenal boss will want no excuses in their quest to occupy an automatic qualification place in their Champions League campaign.
Arsenal currently sit third with 13 points on board following a 3-0 victory over Monaco in the previous game. The Gunners will have to win to be absolutely sure about a place in the top eight, as two wins in their remaining games will ensure they are within that group. Arteta cannot afford any dropped points at this stage and risks playing two more games to qualify for the round of 16.
Meanwhile, Dinamo Zagreb are on the opposite end of the table, as the visitors will hope to cling to the 24th spot they currently occupy. In theory, Zagreb have had a better campaign than Paris Saint-Germain, who will closely monitor this result, hoping to beat Manchester City.
Zagreb has had two wins in the league phase, with both coming away from home. New boss and Italy legend Fabio Cannavaro will take charge of his first Champions League game, and this will be a tough one for the World Cup winner. However, a win at the Emirates will undoubtedly boost their chances of qualification into the round of 32.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
Tere are still many absentees for Arteta ahead of this home game against Zagreb. William Saliba missed out on the Aston Villa clash with a muscular problem, and will continue to do so for now. Arteta did stay positive on the prospects of having the Frenchman back before the Manchester City game in early February.
Once again, the Gunners boss could deploy a similar backline as he did at the weekend, although he does have new options to conisder. Arsenal were given a boost by the returns of Riccardo Calafiori and Ethan Nwaneri to complete training, as Arteta could potentially use the former in place of Saliba and put Jurrien Timber back into the right-back slot.
Whether Calafiori is fit to start is the big question, meaning Arteta might rely on Thomas Partey at right back and Timber in Saliba’s spot. Hence, there’s every possibility of Myles Lewis-Skelly continuing at left-back. Declan Rice, Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard are expected to feature in midfield.
With Bukayo Saka still out and Gabriel Jesus suffering an ACL issue, the Gunners continue to have a depleted frontline, as some regulars will again take on the attacking burden. Kai Havertz will lead the line, with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on either side. The return of Nwaneri does improve Arsenal’s attacking depth, as the teenager will look to appear on the bench at some stage.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Partey, Timber, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard
Dinamo Zagreb
Zagreb are missing the experienced presence of Bruno Petkovic, who is the only player for this club to have scored four away goals in one European tournament. Fellow attacker Sandro Kulenovic could reach that milestone if he scored against Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Zagreb is also missing the highly-rated Petar Sucuc, who may not have overcome his issue to be fit for this trip to north London. Beyond him, only Josip Misic will be missing from action for the Croatians.
Cannavaro could assemble an attacking formation with Nathanael Mbuku, Luka Stojkovic and Marko Pjaca supporting striker Kulenovic. Lukas Kacavenda will partner Marko Rog in the central midfield position.
Sadegh Moharrami and Ronael Pierre-Gabriel will be the choices in the full-back roles, as Kevin Theophile-Catherini and Raul Torrente will marshal the central defensive zones for Zagreb.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Zagorac; Moharrami, Theophile-Catherine, Torrente, Pierre-Gabriel; Kacavenda, Rog; Mbuku, Stojkovic, Pjaca; Kulenovic
Key Stats
- Arsenal have won their last 3 Champions League games on home soil.
- Arsenal have conceded no goals in their 3 home games in the Champions League this season.
- Dinamo Zagreb have lost on their only 2 visits to the Emirates before.
- Dinamo Zagreb currently sits in 24th and the final qualification spot in the Champions League standings.
Player to Watch
Leandro Trossard
The Belgian put in a superb display on the frontline for Arsenal, creating both their goals scored by Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz. With the absence of some key stars, particularly Saka, the Gunners need a player to help them get going in games and help take a step forward.
In their most recent game, Trossard has helped do that, as Arteta will want more from the Belgian. The Gunners lack presence in the final third, and Trossard could be their answer as the forward needs to pick up form and a ruthless streak in front of goal to boost his confidence levels further.
Prediction
Arsenal 3-0 Dinamo Zagreb
The Croatians are looking to cling to their current table position. Given their two remaining encounters are extremely tough, Cannavaro’s men could stare an an exit as the Gunners are expected to take all three points.
Arsenal might have a depleted attacking setup right now, but there’s enough quality available at Arteta’s disposal to see off Zagreb. Arteta will want some early goals to help find some rest for his overworked forwards and preserve them for the next Premier League game. The Gunners must put at least three goals past the Croatians and keep a clean sheet.