Arsenal v Dinamo Zagreb match preview
Arsenal can book their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with victory over Dinamo Zagreb tomorrow night.
Mikel Arteta’s side have taken 13 points from their six games and a win, coupled with results elsewhere in the week, could be enough to see them through.
A stress-free progression would be welcome after a difficult run of results has seriously jeopardized their chances of silverware this season. The 2-0 defeat at home to Newcastle in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final was a blow, as was the subsequent penalty shoot-out loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup.
A 2-1 win over local rivals Tottenham was therefore welcome and they looked to be on course for another three points at the weekend only to lose a 2-0 lead at home to Aston Villa to draw 2-2.
They should find it a little easier against a Dynamo side clinging to a playoff spot.
New manager Fabio Cannavaro is yet to oversee an official first-team game after taking over between Christmas and New Year. Under his predecessor Nenad Bjelica, Dinamo won two and lost two in the Champions League, but are only third in the domestic league.
European nights are back ✨ pic.twitter.com/FjtZkrSvYd
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 20, 2025
New team for Arsenal – Dinamo Zagreb
The main concern for Arteta is the availability of French defender William Saliba. Saliba missed the Villa game with a hamstring injury and looks unlikely to be in danger against the Croatians.
Riccardo Calafiori, Ethan Nwaneri, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus are all out.
Dynamo could be without experienced striker Bruno Petkovic, while midfielder Petar Sucic is unavailable.
Arsenal: Raya? Partey, Gabriel, Timber, Lewis-Skelly; Merino, Rice, Odegaard; Martinelli, Trossard, Havertz
Dinamo Zagreb: Nevistic? Ristovski, Théophile-Catherine, Bernauer, Pierre-Gabriel; Ademi, Stojković; Cordoba, Baturina, Pjaca; Kulenovic
The game will be televised on TNT Sports and streamable via the Discovery+ app.
