Could Max Dowman make Arsenal history against Slavia Praha?
Arsenal travel to Czechia on Wednesday hoping to extend a remarkable unbeaten run in the Champions League league phase that stretches back to a 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan in November 2024. Ahead of the clash with Slavia Praha, Mikel Arteta is expected to make several changes to the side that beat Liverpool, with suggestions that teenager Max Dowman could be handed a start.
According to football.london, Dowman is not suspended for European competition and could come into the side to make history as Arsenal's youngest ever Champions League starter. The 16 year old has already made waves in the first team squad this season and a start in Prague would mark another significant milestone in his rapid rise.
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Arsenal have won away at Napoli and Bayern Munich already in this season's competition, with only a trip to Real Betis remaining after Slavia Praha. The club remain unbeaten in the league phase since that defeat to Inter two years ago, a run that includes the recent draw with Bayern in Munich.
Rotation expected but not wholesale
The win over Liverpool appears to have eased some of the pressure following the League Cup exit to Fleetwood Town, though football.london's writers note there are lessons to be learned from that result about the limits of heavy rotation. The suggestion is that Arteta will shuffle his pack against Slavia Praha but keep certain key figures involved given the importance of maintaining Arsenal's European form.
Martin Odegaard is expected to start, with his influence viewed as too important to rest given the opportunity to follow up away wins in Naples and Munich with another positive result on the road. David Raya and Ezri Konsa are also considered guaranteed starters by one of the outlet's writers.
Ben White is tipped to provide rotation at right back in place of Jurrien Timber, while Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie look likely to be given minutes in defence. Myles Lewis-Skelly could also start in midfield after what was described as an instrumental cameo at Anfield.
Gyokeres and Saliba latest
Viktor Gyokeres is in contention to lead the line, though it is noted that the Swedish striker has struggled for form from the start in matches against Ipswich, Napoli, Lille and Fleetwood this season, with his goal against Fleetwood one of the few bright spots in those outings.
Arteta will also have been boosted by seeing William Saliba return to full training ahead of the trip to Czechia, with the Arsenal manager set to face the press on Tuesday evening before the match.
Arsenal have a home tie with Hull City to come before the next international break, giving Arteta further opportunity to manage his squad's workload across a busy period.
