The Independent
·22. Januar 2025
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Yahoo sportsThe Independent
·22. Januar 2025
Arsenal host Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League with the Gunners looking to take one step closer to the next round of the competition.
Mikel Arteta’s side sat third in the league phase table with 13 points entering this matchweek, though a congested crop of contenders behind them ensure that direct progression to the last 16 is far from assured.
Arteta will be desperate to avoid dropping into the lower places and being forced to negotiate a play-off, and may thus be pleased to be facing a Dinamo side who have struggled in the competition so far.
The Croatian side have won just twice and will play their first competitive match under new manager – and former Ballon d’Or winner – Fabio Cannavaro - but the hosts will still need to be at their best to avoid being potentially caught out.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Arsenal vs Dinamo is due to kick off at 8pm GMT on Wednesday, 22 January at the Emirates Stadium.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 2, with coverage on the channel from 7pm. Subscribers can also stream via discovery+.
Arsenal have no new injury concerns after the draw against Villa, though several key players – including Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Jesus – remain out.
In addition, William Saliba will likely miss this match – with Arteta saying that the club will need to run more tests on him – though Riccardo Calafiori could make a return to the squad.
Arteta will likely decide to rest some key players ahead of the match, so expect Raheem Sterling, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior to all potentially start.
Arsenal XI: Raya; Partey, Timber, Kiwior, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Merino, Lewis-Skelly; Sterling, Havertz, Trossard.
Dinamo XI: Zagorac; Ristovski, Bernauer; Theophile-Catherine; Pierre-Gabriel; Kacavenda, Rog; Spikic, Baturina, Pjaca; Kulenovic.
Arsenal win 1/8
Draw 8/1
Dinamo win 16/1
Even if Arteta decides to rest several key players, the hosts should have enough to earn a straightforward win over the Croatian side.
Arsenal 3-0 Dinamo.