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

Arsenal's French-born Ivorian midfielder Nicolas Pepe (L) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg football match between Arsenal and Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 8, 2021. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP) (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's French-born Ivorian midfielder Nicolas Pepe (L) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg football match between Arsenal and Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 8, 2021. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP) (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Nicolas Pepe
Slavia Prague vs Arsenal preview of Thursday’s crucial Europa League quarter-final second leg clash at the Sinobo Stadium. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP) (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images) /

Arsenal travel to the Sinobo Stadium on Thursday to face Slavia Prague in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash. Here is the preview.

This is it. This is the big one. What happens after 90 or perhaps even 120 minutes in the Czech capital will have outstanding repercussions for what is to come in the months ahead.

Secure progression and the season is salvaged for another few weeks at least; lose and the whole world will come crashing down around Arsenal and Mikel Arteta with domestic football likely to be all the club will have to play for next campaign.

Remarkably, Arsenal are closer to playing in the Champions League than they are the Europa League in 2021/22. Four games stand between themselves and a return to the promised land, whereas eight matches and a series of capitulations from their rivals may still not be enough for the secondary competition.

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Slavia Prague vs Arsenal preview of Thursday’s crucial Europa League quarter-final second leg clash at the Sinobo Stadium

The first leg of this tie was a source of vibrant irritation. In every aspect of the Emirates Stadium clash there was scope for criticism. Starting the game slowly with little energy or impetus saw Arsenal fail to assert themselves on their opportunity to take an advantage to Prague.

A game that was there for the taking against a surprisingly weak outfit, the changes that needed to happen were remedied much too late by Arteta. Once they did the complexion of the game altered, and then with just seconds left of the lead to hold on to some poor decision-making in their own third cost them an away goal.

There were guilt-edged chances that weren’t taken either, as the result went from being a very good one to a borderline catastrophic one.

As witnessed by Slavia Prague’s wild celebrations at full-time, they have Arsenal precisely where they want them. Now with the advantage they can set up shop, hit on the counter or surprise their opponents with a fast start to further cement their advantage. They’re yet to lose a home fixture all campaign.

A spectacular performance will be needed, one without crucial members of the squad available. Arsenal are still well in this.

How to Watch on TV

When Is Kick Off? Thursday 15 April
What Time Is Kick Off? 20:00 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? Sinobo Stadium
TV Channel/Live Stream? BT Sport (UK) fuboTV (USA)
Referee? Cüneyt Çakır