2024-25 UEFA Champions League: League Phase – Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb

Arsenal host Dinamo Zagreb in a huge league phase fixture in 2024-25 UEFA Champions League. 

Victory will see Arsenal remain on course for the round of 16 stage, whilst Dinamo Zagreb can boost their prospects of a knockout play-off spot with a win.

 

Team News

William Saliba is ruled out for Arsenal after he missed their 2-2 draw against Aston Villa in the Premier League, having suffered a hamstring injury in the Gunners’ North London derby victory over Tottenham.

Ethan Nwaneri (muscle) and Riccardo Calafiori (fitness) are set to return but Bukayo Saka (hamstring), Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White (all knee) remain absent.

Dinamo Zagreb could be without Bruno Petkovic due to an adductor injury.

Petar Sucic is ruled out with an unspecified injury.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Arsenal host Dinamo Zagreb at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday 22 January at 8pm GMT, live on TNT Sports 2 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Arsenal have won three of their four previous Champions League meetings against Dinamo Zagreb (W3, L1).
• Dinamo Zagreb have lost each of their two previous visits to Arsenal (L2).
• All four meetings between Arsenal and Dinamo Zagreb have seen three goals scored in each clash, with Arsenal winning two fixtures by 3-0 results and won and lost one apiece by a 2-1 result.
• Mikel Arteta’s Gunners has scored six goals at home without conceding in this phase of the competition (W3).
• Eight of Dinamo Zagreb’s ten goals in the league phase were scored away from home (W2, L1).

 

Prediction

Having dominated much of their draw against Villa, Arsenal will be disappointed at how they blew a two-goal lead but this is a chance for them to move onto the cusp of securing a bye to the round of 16 stage, especially given their attacking quality out wide with Leandro Trossard particularly looking a handful for fullbacks.

Dinamo Zagreb though are strong away from home in Europe which makes for a good game if they bring their best firepower with or without Petkovic up top, but their defending will need to be as strong if they’re to get anything here.

I however can see Arsenal having too much quality but without Saliba, they’re vulnerable at times to conceding goals defensively so there should be goals in this game.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Dinamo Zagreb

Result: Arsenal 3-0 Dinamo Zagreb