Match preview for Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb
Arsenal could book their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a win over Dinamo Zagreb tomorrow night.
Mikel Arteta’s side have picked up 13 points from their six games and a win, coupled with results elsewhere during the week, could be enough to see them through.
A stress-free progression would be welcome after a difficult run of results that has seriously threatened their silverware chances this season. A 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final was a blow, as was the subsequent penalty shootout defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup.
So a 2-1 win over local rivals Tottenham was welcome and it looked like they were on course for another three points at the weekend, only to squander a 2-0 lead at home to Aston Villa and a 2nd To achieve a :2 draw.
Things should be a little easier for them against a Dinamo team clinging to a playoff spot.
New coach Fabio Cannavaro has yet to take charge of an official first-team game after taking office between Christmas and New Year. Under his predecessor Nenad Bjelica, Dinamo won twice and lost twice in the Champions League, but finished a disappointing third in the domestic league.
European nights are back ✨ pic.twitter.com/FjtZkrSvYd
– Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 20, 2025
Team news for Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb
The biggest concern for Arteta is the availability of French defender William Saliba. Saliba missed the Villa game with a hamstring injury and seems unlikely to take a chance 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.
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 broadcast on TNT Sports and available to stream on the Discovery+ app.
