Presentation of the Arsenal v Dinamo Zagreb match
Arsenal can book their place in the Champions League last 16 if they beat Dinamo Zagreb tomorrow night.
Mikel Arteta's side have taken 13 points from their six games, and a win, coupled with results elsewhere throughout the week, could be enough to see them through.
Stress-free progress will be welcomed after a difficult run of results has put their chances of silverware this season in serious jeopardy. A 2-0 loss at home to Newcastle in the first leg of the UEFA Cup semi-final was a huge blow, as was the subsequent defeat on penalties to Manchester United in the FA Cup.
So, a 2-1 win over local rivals Tottenham was welcomed, and it looked like they were on course to pick up another three points at the weekend only to squander a 2-0 lead at home to Aston Villa to draw 2-2.
They should find it a little easier against a Dinamo side clinging to a playoff spot.
New coach Fabio Cannavaro is yet to oversee any official first-team matches after taking charge between Christmas and New Year. Under his predecessor Nenad Bjelica, Dinamo have won two and lost two in the Champions League, but are sitting 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 the Arsenal v Dinamo Zagreb match
The main concern for Arteta is the availability of French defender William Saliba. Saliba missed the Villa game with a hamstring injury and it seems unlikely he will be risked against the Croats.
Riccardo Calafiore, Ethan Nwaneri, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus are all out.
Dynamo may be missing experienced striker Bruno Petkovic, while midfielder Petar Socic is unavailable.
Arsenal: Raya; Partey, Gabriel, Timber, Lewis Skelly; Merino, Rice, Odegaard; Martinelli, Trossard, Havertz
Dinamo Zagreb: Nevestic; Ristovsky, Théophile Catherine, Bernauer, Pierre Gabriel; Adeyemi, Stojkovic; Cordoba, Baturina, Bajaca; Kulenovic
The match will be broadcast on TNT Sports and can be streamed on the Discovery+ app.
