Match preview Arsenal – Dinamo Zagreb
Arsenal could clinch their place in the Champions League round of 16 with victory against Dinamo Zagreb tomorrow night.
Mikel Arteta’s side have claimed 13 points from 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 tough run of results which seriously damaged their chances of winning silverware this season. A 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final was a blow, as was the penalty shootout defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup.
A 2-1 victory over local rivals Tottenham was therefore welcome and it looked like they were on course for three more points at the weekend only to then squander a 2-0 home lead against Aston Villa to make the match draw 2-2.
They should find the task a little easier against a Dinamo side clinging to a playoff spot.
New coach Fabio Cannavaro is yet to oversee an official first-team match 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 in a disappointing third place in the domestic league.
European nights are back ✨ pic.twitter.com/FjtZkrSvYd
-Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 20, 2025
Team news for Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb
Arteta’s main concern is the availability of French defender William Saliba. Saliba missed the Villa game with a hamstring injury and looks unlikely to take a risk against the Croatians.
Riccardo Calafiori, Ethan Nwaneri, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus are all missing.
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 match will be broadcast on TNT Sports and can be streamed via the Discovery+ app.
