Arsenal eye continued unbeaten European run away at Slavia Prague
Arsenal head to Prague on Wednesday night looking to carry the momentum from Sunday's 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield into the Champions League, with Mikel Arteta's side unbeaten in their last 18 matches in the competition, a run that includes nine consecutive away games in Europe without defeat.
The challenge facing Arsenal at Slavia Prague is different from the one they faced at Anfield. Slavia have gone 22 Champions League matches without a win, but domestically they sit seven points clear at the top of the Czech league and arrive on the back of a 5-0 thrashing of Jablonec. Arsenal beat Slavia 3-0 on their last visit to Prague, though that result carries little weight once the game kicks off.
The Friday Injury Tracker
Who's out, who's back and what it means for the next two games.
Team news: Saliba back in the squad, Saka still out
William Saliba has returned to the travelling squad after his recent spell out, giving Arteta a selection decision over whether to stick with the Konsa-Gabriel partnership that delivered the clean sheet at Anfield or begin reintroducing the Frenchman. Arteta described Saliba as 'ready to go', according to Arsenal's official match preview.
Bukayo Saka remains unavailable after suffering a thigh injury against Bayern Munich. Max Dowman is eligible for selection despite having served a domestic suspension.
For the hosts, striker Tomas Chory remains out following internal disciplinary action, while goalkeeper Jakub Markovic and winger Lukas Provod have returned to training.
Predicted lineup
With the demanding trip to Anfield just days behind them, Arteta could be tempted to rotate, though maintaining momentum in Europe is likely to take priority. Konsa is tipped to keep his place alongside Gabriel, with Saliba more likely to be eased back from the bench than thrown straight into the starting eleven.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Hincapie; Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard; Dowman, Gyokeres, Tzolis.
Slavia's domestic scoring record suggests they will carry a threat on home soil, but Arsenal's defensive organisation and greater European pedigree are expected to prove decisive. The predicted score is Slavia Prague 0-2 Arsenal.
A win in Prague would extend Arsenal's remarkable European away record and keep Arteta's side firmly on course in this season's Champions League campaign.
