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Arsenal vs Slavia Prague preview: How to watch, predicted lineups, score prediction & injury updates

By Ross Kennerley

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 18: Nicolae Stanciu of Slavia Praha (hidden) celebrates with his team mates after scoring their side's second goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Rangers and Slavia Praha at Ibrox Stadium on March 18, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 18: Nicolae Stanciu of Slavia Praha (hidden) celebrates with his team mates after scoring their side's second goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Rangers and Slavia Praha at Ibrox Stadium on March 18, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, David Luiz
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 18: David Luiz of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal and Olympiacos at Emirates Stadium on March 18, 2021 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images) /

Arsenal Team News vs Slavia Prague

It’s worrying times.

Arteta saw the lack of depth in his squad fully exploited against Liverpool, with the additions coming in performing woefully below the standard required in unbearable fashion.

David Luiz missed out with a knee injury that he has since undergone surgery on, meaning he will be out of action for at least four weeks. His Europa League venture is over unless his side reach the next round. Due to that, Rob Holding took his place in the side and looks set to do so again.

At left-back Arsenal are up the creek without a paddle. Kieran Tierney is the only player able to play the position naturally, and that’s without mentioning just how important he is in general. His absence, which looks set to be long-term, is a killer blow to any trophy ambitions.

In midfield Granit Xhaka will come back in after missing out through illness, not because he’s recovered or confirmed to be well, but simply because a bedridden Xhaka is better than a 100% fit Dani Ceballos.

Emile Smith Rowe has still not returned to training following a hip issue and looks set to miss out, but on the positive side Bukayo Saka has been involved with the rest of the squad and should be passed fit.

The visitors have their own issues to contend with, starting with everyone’s least favourite footballer Ondřej Kúdela.

A nasal contusion suffered by the elbow of Gareth Bale kept him out of their last fixture, and will do likewise on Thursday. Fellow centre-backs Simon Deli and David Hovorka are also missing through injury, while central midfielder Ibrahim Traoré is out with a muscle problem.

It’s a crisis for the Czech side, who now only have one fit centre-back to face Arsenal, 20-year-old David Zima.

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