Dundalk welcome Arsenal to Aviva Stadium in their final Group B clash of 2020-21 UEFA Europa League.
Dundalk are already eliminated from contention whilst Arsenal are through as group winners as both teams look to finish this stage of their contrasting Europa campaigns on a high.
Team News
Patrick Hoban is Dundalk’s only absentee with an ankle injury which required surgery.
Arsenal could welcome David Luiz back after a concussion kept the Brazilian defender out of their last two matches.
Thomas Partey meanwhile remains absent with a thigh injury.
Stat Attack
- Dundalk lost their only previous meeting against Arsenal, losing 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium in October.
- Arsenal are playing what will be their first away match against a team from Republic of Ireland.
- Only five of Mikel Arteta’s Gunners’ 16 goals in Group B this season have come before half-time.
Prediction
Dundalk have nothing but pride to play for and given that they’ve managed to score in four of their five group matches despite poor defending, I am expecting them to really give Arsenal a game given how inconsistent the visitors have been across all competitions in terms of result.
Compared to their domestic form though, Arsenal seem to be focused on this season’s Europa League campaign given how dominant they’ve been even when not at their best, although they really could do with a win here to give them a confidence boost heading into a packed festive schedule because they dominated at Tottenham yet were poor in front of goal.
This therefore could be a scrappy encounter but I am going for a comfortable Arsenal win here given their form in this competition.
Prediction: Dundalk 1-3 Arsenal
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