Tag: Euro

After six Champions League group games, Arsenal sit third out of 36 teams and look well-positioned to secure a top-eight finish, which would see them bypass a two-legged knockout round play-off in February.

Given the Gunners’ hectic schedule, it’s a reward they are desperate to secure, especially as it would free up time in the calendar for a restorative mid-season trip to Dubai.

While it’s not guaranteed, Opta simulations suggest that 16 points should be enough to secure automatic qualification. A win against Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates on Wednesday could prove decisive.

With that in mind, Mikel Arteta is calling for full focus.

“So far we’ve done really well, we’re in a really strong position and now it’s time to capitalise at home on all the work that we’ve done for many months,” he told his pre-game press conference.

“We need a strong performance today against a really good side, and we’ll try to do that.”

Asked about the prospect of a warm-weather training camp, he added: “My thinking is let’s do what we have to do first, which is always difficult because we’re talking about the Champions League, and if we manage to do that, obviously we’ll have the best ideas on the table to make the right decision, hopefully.

“It was very helpful [last year]. I mean, with the schedule that we had for the last three months, you can have a break and reset a little bit, work on things, and rest some people.”

Zagreb should pose an interesting challenge for Arteta and his backroom team. Since their last competitive game – a 3-2 domestic win over Varazdin on 22 December – they’ve sacked manager Sergej Jakirovic and brought in Italian legend Fabio Cannavaro.

The 51-year-old’s coaching career includes stints in Dubai, China, and Saudi Arabia, before an unsuccessful five months with Serie B outfit Benevento. He also had a brief spell at Udinese, helping them avoid relegation before parting ways.

In his new role, Cannavaro has only overseen a couple of friendly matches during the Croatian season’s traditional winter break.

“That’s the context of the game a little bit,” noted Arteta. “With a new coach and the fact that they haven’t played a competitive match for a month.

“Obviously, we know the games that they’ve played—their friendlies, we watched. And just to try to gather ideas and more principles, basically, than systems and formations, because Fabio’s played different formations in China compared to when he was in Italy, and now as well.

“So, [our task is] to actually understand what they’re going to do, not just the idea behind it. We’ll adapt to that tomorrow.”

As for who will pose the biggest threat for the visitors, all eyes will be on the highly-rated Martin Baturina. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has seven assists and two goals in 23 appearances this season and is tipped for a bright future.

“I don’t like to talk about individuals, but they do have a lot of talent. They have some individuals that catch your eye because you have in your head all the players that play in that club and what they’ve done in the past.

“So, yeah, it’s always a good league and a great club to follow.”

It should be an interesting occasion for Gabriel Magalhaes, who spent some time on loan with Zagreb from Lille in 2018. Having only played one game during that stint, he’ll be keen to show them what they missed.

On the topic of players who have represented both clubs, Eduardo da Silva visited London Colney today to meet the Arsenal squad.

The Brazil-born Croatia international was the first player to score a competitive goal at Emirates Stadium back in 2006, a feat that convinced Arsene Wenger to sign him. Known for his clinical finishing, he quickly became a fan favourite before that horrific leg break at Birmingham City nearly ended his career.

“We didn’t play together, but obviously it’s a really familiar face with a very specific history,” said Arteta. “He became very important and very loved here. And then, the career he had there. So, very good to see people coming back that they’ve been here with a big smile on their faces.”