Slavia Praha vs Arsenal

Slavia Prague’s European ambitions remain modest as they continue to chase a first league-phase win of the campaign. Jindřich Trpišovský’s side have picked up just two points [0W, 2D, 1L] from their opening three fixtures, drawing 2-2 with Bodø/Glimt, suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat to Inter Milan, and holding Atalanta to a goalless stalemate last time out. Despite their lowly position of 28th in the 36-team league-phase table, the Červenobílí have lost just once in any competition this season—that sole defeat coming against Inter. Domestically, the Czech champions remain a force to be reckoned with, reclaiming the top spot in the Fortuna Liga after a 2-0 victory over Baník Ostrava. That result also extended their impressive run of five consecutive clean sheets in all competitions [DDDWW]. However, history is not on their side. The Červenobílí are winless in four previous meetings with Arsenal, the most recent being a 4-0 home defeat in the 2020/21 Europa League quarter-finals. Their overall record against English clubs reads just two wins from 15 matches [2W, 4D, 9L], and they face this challenge with key absentees, including Youssoupha Mbodji and Jan Bořil. A 4—3—3 pattern may be deployed with Lukáš Provod, Christos Zafiris and Vasil Kušej starting in the attacking line.

Arsenal, on the other hand, arrive in red-hot form [WWWWW]. Mikel Arteta’s side produced a blistering display in their last UCL outing, scoring four goals in 13 minutes to dismantle Atlético Madrid at the Emirates. The Gunners remain one of only two teams yet to concede in this season’s competition—alongside Inter Milan—and sit fourth in the league-phase table with nine points [3W, 0D, 0L], well on course for automatic qualification to the round of 16. Their dominance has also been reflected on the domestic front. A 2-0 win away to Burnley last weekend marked their ninth consecutive Premier League victory and seventh successive clean sheet, further underlining their remarkable consistency. The London club are unbeaten in all ten UEFA encounters with Czech opponents [8W, 2D, 0L] and will look to extend that perfect run in Prague. However, Arteta has a few concerns ahead of the trip, with Martín Zubimendi and Viktor Gyökeres both doubtful. A 4—3—3 formation is expected with Leandro Trossard, Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka forming a trident attacking line.