Bottling up their frustrations after dropping points in the Premier League, Arsenal turn their attention to the Champions League where they host Dinamo Zagreb. Here is our Arsenal predicted lineup for Champions League Matchday 7, with kick-off at 20:00 GMT.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Dinamo Zagreb: Two Stars Now Fit, One Ruled Out
How Arsenal Have Lined-up Recently
Having played all but two matches all season for his club, David Raya continues as the number-one shot-stopper.
Meanwhile, the Gunners’ defence has also remained fairly consistent, except for William Saliba’s new injury. Usually the French star plays alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, with a combination of Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey filling the right-back berth and Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori at left-back. But against Aston Villa, it was Timber who was called in to partner Gabriel at centre-half, with Partey at right-back.
Martin Odegaard started his fourth successive game in midfield, supported by regulars Declan Rice and Mikel Merino last time out.
Arsenal’s forward line has seen various adaptations recently; Kai Havertz usually leads the line and the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling play on the wings.
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Arsenal Recent Form and Tactics
Alongside six other challengers, Arsenal have the joint-third-best form in the Champions League, with four wins, a draw and a loss.
Despite the disappointment of two dropped points in their last Premier League outing, much of the aggrievement was caused by the fact that Arsenal did do enough to win the game. The Gunners were particularly strong on the left-hand side, playing through the likes of Lewis-Skelly, into Merino and onto Trossard who picked up two vital assists.
But to crumble to a draw after going two goals up against the Villans is a warning against complacency and illustrates the importance of defending as a team.
Arsenal Injuries and Absentees to Consider
In his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta gave an update on the fitness of his squad, which includes a Saliba-shaped hole in the heart of his defence.
Arteta said: “He’s evolving really well. The last few days he was feeling much better already but this game comes a little bit too early for him.”
But there were some positives concerning Riccardo Calafiori and Ethan Nwaneri who will be fit for selection.
The Arsenal boss said: “Very positive news. We missed them for a few weeks and they returned today for training. They will be available for the game.”
Bukayo Saka remains sidelined, but Arteta was happy with his rehab: “He’s doing really well. Feeling better day by day but we have to respect the healing process and then he has other stages to go through in the rehab.”
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Arsenal Predicted Lineup Vs Dinamo Zagreb
GK: David Raya
DEF: Thomas Partey
DEF: Jurrien Timber
DEF: Gabriel Magalhaes
DEF: Riccardo Calafiori
MID: Martin Odegaard
MID: Declan Rice
MID: Ethan Nwaneri
FW: Gabriel Martinelli
FW: Kai Havertz
FW: Leandro Trossard
