Arsenal v Dinamo Zagreb: Champions League

Mathieu Flamini is expected to partner Santi Cazorla in the middle of the park, although Arsene Wenger has hinted Calum Chambers could be Coquelin’s replacement and Aaron Ramsey is back available.

Kieran Gibbs is likely to continue on the left wing. Aaron Ramsey has returned to training, but this fixture will come too soon for him.
Joel Campbell and Mesut Ozil are one booking away from suspension.

The visitors have Josip Pivaric suspened after being sent off in GW4 and Marko Rog will incur a one-match ban with his next yellow card.
Marco Musa should come in to replace Pinto at left-back.

Arijan Ademi has been hit with a four-year ban for failing a drugs test after their 2-1 win over Arsenal in the reverse fixture.

Statistics…..

• Including qualifying this will be the fourth meeting between these sides in the Champions League; the Gunners won the first two meetings however Zagreb won the most recent clash between the sides in MD1.
• Dinamo Zagreb have not won any of their last 11 away games in the Champions League (D2, L9), failing to find the net in eight of those games.
• Arsenal were victorious in their last home game in the competition (2-0 v Bayern Munich) but have not won consecutive Champions League games at the Emirates since 2012.
• Alexis Sanchez has been directly involved in four of Arsenal’s six Champions League goals this term; scoring once and claiming a career best three assists already.
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 6 of Dinamo Zagreb’s last 7 games in the Champions League (including qualifiers). Over 2.5 goals 1.44
• Dinamo Zagreb have lost their last 3 matches in the Champions League (including qualifiers)
• Arsenal have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 3 matches against Dinamo Zagreb in all competitions.

Prediction….

The gooners can’t afford to drop anymore points and probably have to rely on others during their final two group matches if they are progress.

Decimated by injuries, they also face opponents who have an outside chance of progressing and who won the reverse fixture 2-1 in Zagreb.

However, the Emirates home advantage and a fit Giroud should combine to give Arsenal a narrow win in a BTTS YES/HOME WIN outcome.

ARSENAL & BTTS = YES @ 7/4 with BoyleSports

However, BoyleSports are offering ‘Money back as a Free Bet’ on selected markets if Arsenal fail to win v Dinamo Zagreb this evening…….