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Match Preview for Arsenal v Dinamo Zagreb
Arsenal could clinch their place in the Champions League round of 16 with a win over Dinamo Zagreb tomorrow night.
Mikel Arteta’s side have claimed 13 points from their six games and a win, coupled with results elsewhere across the week, may be enough to see them through.
A stress-free progression would be welcomed after a difficult run of results that has seriously jeopardised their chances of silverware this season. A 2-0 loss at home to Newcastle in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final was a blow as was the subsequent penalty shoot-out defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup.
A 2-1 win over local rivals Tottenham was, therefore, welcomed and it seemed like they were on course for another three points at the weekend only to squander a 2-0 lead at home to Aston Villa to draw 2-2.
They ought to find it a little easier against a Dinamo side that are clinging on to a playoff place.
New coach Fabio Cannavaro has yet to oversee an official first-team game after taking over between Christmas and new year. Under predecessor Nenad Bjelica, Dinamo won two and lost two in the Champions League but only sit a disappointing third in the domestic league.
European nights are back ✨ pic.twitter.com/FjtZkrSvYd
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 20, 2025
Team News for Arsenal v Dinamo Zagreb
The main worry for Arteta is the availability of France defender William Saliba. Saliba missed the Villa game due to a hamstring injury and it seems unlikely he will be risked against the Croatians.
Riccardo Calafiori, Ethan Nwaneri, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus are all out.
Dinamo could be without experienced striker Bruno Petkovic, while midfielder Petar Sucic is unavailable.
Expected lineups for Arsenal v Dinamo Zagreb
Arsenal: Raya; Partey, Gabriel, Timber, Lewis-Skelly; Merino, Rice, Odegaard; Martinelli, Trossard, Havertz
Dinamo Zagreb: Nevistić; Ristovski, Théophile-Catherine, Bernauer, Pierre-Gabriel; Ademi, Stojković; Cordoba, Baturina, Pjaca; Kulenović
How to watch Arsenal v Dinamo Zagreb
The game will be broadcast on TNT Sports and can be streamed via the Discovery+ app.
The Stats
- Arsenal have won 6 of the last 8 home matches in the Champions League while scoring more than 1.5 goals
- In 6 of the last 7 Arsenal matches in the Champions League, the total of number of goals was under 3.5
- Arsenal have won the last 3 home matches in a row in the Champions League
- In 4 of the last 5 Dinamo Zagreb away matches the total number of goals was over 3.5
- In 3 of the last 4 Dinamo Zagreb away matches in the Champions League, the total number of goals was over 2.5
Prediction
The possible opportunity to qualify tomorrow night and get the chance to rest some key players for matchday eight is arguably all the motivation Arsenal require.
Their length injury list has hampered Arteta’s ability to rotate and some players are clearly in need of a rest.
With that in mind, the home side will go full throttle against Dinamo and that ought to be too much for the visitors to handle.
Given he was one of the world’s best defenders in his pomp, Cannavaro is likely to shore up the backline but it’s debatable just how quickly he’ll be able to do that given he has only been in charge for three weeks.
Dinamo shipped nine in their opener against Bayern Munich, losing 9-2 at the Allianz Arena, and while we are certainly not expecting a repeat of that scoreline, we do think Arsenal could hit the goal trail, particularly if they score early and force the visitors out of their defensive set-up.
Expect the hosts to win, and win well. Arsenal 5-0 Dinamo Zagreb
