Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb: Preview, predictions and lineups

Arsenal host Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday in a key Champions League encounter. A victory for the Gunners would all but confirm their spot in the tournament’s last 16, while the Croatian giants hope to cause an upset under new management.

Arsenal’s Path to the Knockout Rounds

The Gunners are in a commanding position in the Champions League group stage, having won four of their six matches. A win on Wednesday secures their progression to the last 16, avoiding a challenging play-off round. Arsenal’s dominance at home in this competition, with three wins from three matches, makes them firm favorites at the Emirates Stadium.

Dinamo Zagreb’s Revival

Dinamo Zagreb began their European campaign disastrously, suffering a 9-2 defeat to Bayern Munich. However, they’ve since stabilized, securing two wins and two draws in their last five outings. Under new coach Fabio Cannavaro, the Croatian side aims to make a statement, but facing an Arsenal side in good form is a significant challenge.

Key Stats and Head-to-Head

Arsenal and Dinamo Zagreb have faced off four times previously, with the Gunners winning three and Dinamo triumphing once. Their most recent meeting in November 2015 ended in a 3-0 victory for Arsenal.

Current Form

Arsenal’s recent performances have been mixed, with a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa following a narrow 2-1 victory over Tottenham. The injury-hit squad, however, has remained resilient in the Champions League.
Dinamo Zagreb, coming off a long winter break, will be playing their first competitive match of 2025. Their form before the break included a 3-2 win over Varazdin but also featured a 3-1 loss to Lokomotiva.

Team News

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta faces significant injury concerns, with William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Jesus unavailable. Defensive reinforcements will come from Riccardo Calafiori, while Ethan Nwaneri returns to the squad. Despite the setbacks, Arsenal’s midfield trio of Odegaard, Jorginho, and Rice remains intact, and Martinelli provides firepower up front.

Predicted Lineup
Raya; Timber, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Sterling, Havertz, Martinelli

Dinamo Zagreb

Fabio Cannavaro, managing his first match as Dinamo’s head coach, will be without key striker Bruno Petkovic and midfielder Petar Sucic. The Croatian side will rely on captain Arijan Ademi and young talent Martin Baturina to challenge Arsenal.

Predicted Lineup
Nevistic; Ristovski, Theophile-Catherine, Mmaee, Pierre-Gabriel; Ademi, Stojkovic; Cordoba, Baturina, Pjaca; Kulenovic

Tactical Preview

Arsenal’s home advantage and attacking depth are likely to overwhelm Dinamo Zagreb, whose long break may lead to a slow start. Arteta’s team will aim to exploit Dinamo’s defensive vulnerabilities, while Cannavaro will rely on disciplined counter-attacking football to keep the game competitive.

Score Prediction

Arsenal’s impeccable home record and Dinamo’s lack of match sharpness point to a comfortable night for the Gunners. A 2-0 victory seems a likely outcome.