Review of the match for Arsenal against Dinamo Zagreb
Tomorrow evening, Arsenal could win a place in the round of 16 of the Champions League with a victory over Dinamo Zagreb.
Mikel Arteta’s side have taken 13 points from their six games and a win, along with results during the week, can be enough to go through.
Stress-free progress would be welcome after a difficult run of results which has seriously threatened 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 huge blow as was the penalty shootout 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 squander a 2-0 lead at home to Aston Villa to draw 2-2.
It should be a little easier for them against a Dinamo team that is desperately clinging to a place in the playoffs.
New coach Fabio Cannavaro is yet to oversee an official first-team match after taking over between Christmas and New Year. Under predecessor Nenad Bjelica, Dinamo won two and lost two in the Champions League, but is only 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 main concern for Arteta is the availability of French defender William Saliba. Saliba missed the Villa game due to a hamstring injury and it seems unlikely that he will be a risk against the Croatians.
Riccardo Calafiori, Ethan Nwaneri, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus are out.
Dinamo could be without experienced striker Bruno Petković, while midfielder Petar Sučić is unavailable.
Arsenal: Ray; 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
The match will be televised on TNT Sports and will be streamable via the Discovery+ app.
