Slavia Prague vs Arsenal
Champions League clash: Slavia Prague vs Arsenal
Arsenal make the trip to the Czech Republic this evening to take on Slavia Prague on matchday four of the Champions League league phase. Mikel Arteta’s side are three wins from three in Europe’s top competition, and have not conceded a single goal so far. The north Londoners swept past Athletic Club and Olympiacos 2-0 in their first two games, before sweeping Atletico Madrid aside 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium last time out.
The Gunners are in hot form in the Premier League too, topping the English top flight by six points after 10 games. They are on a 12-game unbeaten streak in all competitions stretching back to their 1-0 defeat at Liverpool earlier in the campaign, but their new signings are gelling well as they begin to look stronger and stronger.
There are a couple of injury worries for the Gunners this evening, with star striker Viktor Gyokeres feeling pain in his hamstring, while fellow new recruit Martin Zubimendi was also forced off in the win over Burnley. Both are likely to miss out today, and attentions will then turn to who replaces them in Arteta’s starting XI. Follow all the action with our live blog below!
Arsenal team news
With a tricky trip to Sunderland coming up on Saturday evening, Mikel Arteta will be tempted to make a number of changes in Prague, though two are enforced.
Viktor Gyokeres picked up a muscular injury in the win over Burnley and has been ruled out of the match. Martin Zubimendi has also suffered a fitness issue, but was suspended for this game anyway. Mikel Merino could deputise, as he did at the weekend, up front, and Christian Norgaard is in line to make his first Champions League start.
Elsewhere, Gabriel Martinelli remains sidelined so Leandro Trossard should get the nod on the wing, with Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze completing the trio in support of Merino.
Slavia Prague team news
There’s a relatively long list of absentees for the Czech side today.
Left-back Domink Javorcek is out with a knee injury, while Petr Sevcik has done his cruciate ligament. The same can be said about Filip Horsky and Tomas Holes.
Igoh Ogbu is sidelined with a hamstring problem, while Ivan Schranz and Jan Boril are also ruled out.
How to watch
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 5pm GMT.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Hello and welcome!
... to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Arsenal’s Champions League trip to Slavia Prague.
The Gunners are in a purple patch right now, on a 12-game unbeaten streak, but away days in Europe are always tough, especially moving into the winter months.
How will they fare here? Stay tuned for all the updates, with kick off at 5.45pm BST.