Arsenal are set to recover from recent disappointments in domestic competitions as they host Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates Stadium in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The Gunners have only managed to win one of their last five matches across the Premier League, Carabao Cup, and FA Cup encounters. However, their home record in Europe remains flawless this season, and a victory would secure their position in the knockout phase play-offs.
Dinamo are also striving to progress to the next stage, although they will be stepping onto the pitch on Wednesday after a month since their last competitive match.
Team news
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is facing a significant injury list, with center-back William Saliba the latest addition to the sidelined players due to his hamstring issue.
Saliba joins the likes of Ben White (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Bukayo Saka (hamstring), Gabriel Jesus (knee), and Ethan Nwaneri (muscle) on the treatment table. Additionally, Riccardo Calafiori is unlikely to feature as he works on recovering from a muscle problem.
Dinamo are expected to miss two key players, Bruno Petkovic (adductor) and Petar Sucic (unspecified), both Croatia internationals.
The Croatian champions will have a new manager at the helm, Fabio Cannavaro, the Italian captain who lifted the World Cup in 2006.
The stats
This season, Arsenal have secured victories in all three of their Champions League home matches, managing clean sheets in each win against Paris Saint-Germain (2-0), Shakhtar Donetsk (1-0), and Monaco (3-0).
Under Arteta, Arsenal have not suffered a home defeat in the Champions League, achieving seven wins and a draw. Their last loss at the Emirates in the competition was against Bayern Munich in March 2017.
Heading into Matchday Seven, Dinamo currently occupy the final knockout phase play-off spot. Their wins in this season's competition have come away from home against Salzburg (2-0) and Slovan Bratislava (4-1).
Dinamo's last competitive match was on December 22, and they have only won one of their last eight games in all competitions.
This upcoming match will mark the fifth encounter between these two teams, with Arsenal emerging victorious in three of the previous four, including both matches in London.
Prediction
Despite Arsenal's recent struggles and injury concerns, Arteta will anticipate a comfortable win in this game.
The Gunners have been dominant and solid at home in the Champions League this season, making it challenging for Dinamo, who might lack sharpness and key players, to break through.
While Dinamo have clinched away victories in the Champions League, those wins were against weaker opponents. In a match against a quality side like Arsenal – Bayern Munich, Dinamo suffered a heavy 9-2 defeat.
Although a similar outcome is unlikely, Arsenal are expected to secure a convincing win and secure their spot in the knockout phase play-offs.