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

Arsenal Predicted Lineup

Arsenal: Leno; Chambers, Holding, Gabriel, Cedric; Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Pepe, Aubameyang

Slavia Prague: Kolar; Masopust, Kacharaba, Zima, Boril; Hromada, Provod, Dorley, Stanciu, Olayinka; Sima

Arsenal vs Slavia Prague Score Prediction

Oh Arsenal, where do we go from here? It so often feels like one step forward, two steps back, or possibly two steps forward and one step back depending on one’s scepticism.

Vast improvements since Christmas were at risk of derailment, not because of losing to Liverpool, but indeed the manner of the defeat: lifeless, weak and careless.

https://twitter.com/AFCProgramme/status/1379420385364557827

I’d love to confidently claim we’ll see the good of the two faces Arteta spoke of, but all too frequently we are dished up mismatched outings reflective of a collectively frail mentality when the occasion calls for it. Disjointed performances littered with individual mistakes always elevate the potential for risk, and in a fixture of this magnitude they may once more come to the fore.

On the personnel side, the absence of Tierney is a hammer blow, both for his overall quality and clutch moments, as well as for balance on that left side. The left and right footed combination Arteta supports in build-up play fades.

Granit Xhaka coming back into midfield (hopefully) is the opposite of that, as his presence in the centre of the park is hugely important despite not being the No. 6 Arsenal need to progress as a football club.

As for the visitors, Slavia Prague are not a poor side. Because they’ve been blanketed as the easier of the draws (they were), they’re being seen as such. They are still beatable, though.

Even without their two central defenders they pose a genuine threat, with Peter Olayinka and Abdallah Sima both utilising wide areas effectively and allowing star man Nicolae Stanciu the freedom to roam into pockets of space.

They have excellent energy levels and can move up a gear or two in unwavering unison, while their height in set pieces is also a danger.

There is a famous Forest Gump quote one can attribute to this Arsenal team, where there is scope to win 3-0 just as there is the platform to slump to a similarly woeful loss.

It’s going to be a nervy encounter regardless of which Arsenal show up, whereas Slavia will be full of confidence. The result may reflect that.

Score Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Slavia Prague