Girona vs Arsenal Predictions

Girona's lack of UCL goals is not because they don’t create, but because they have not been clinical. However, Arsenal appear to be rediscovering their defensive steel, and despite their injury problems, Arteta's men should do enough to win this encounter.

Match info: UEFA Champions League

Venue: Estadi Municipal de Montilivi, Girona

Date: Wednesday, 29^th January 2025

Time: 9 pm Nigerian time

Needing just a point to ensure their rightful place in the last 16 of the Champions League, Arsenal's final league phase encounter takes them to Girona's Montilivi base on Wednesday evening.

The third-placed Gunners eased to a 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb last time out in Europe, but their hosts lost 1-0 to AC Milan on matchday seven and have already been consigned to an early exit.

Head-to-head:

• Both teams have never faced each other in any competition before.
• Girona have been eliminated from the Champions League, as they sit 31^st on the table.
• Arsenal are 3^rd on the log and have qualified for the next phase, and if they avoid a defeat, they will qualify for the Round of 16.

Form:

• Girona in the Champions League: W-L-L-L-L
• Girona in all competitions: W-W-L-L-L
• Arsenal in the Champions League: W-L-W-W-W
• Arsenal in all competitions: L-W-D-W-W

Team News:

• Arsenal will be without Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Ben White due to injury, while Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino need assessing after unexpectedly missing the Wolves win.
• As for Girona, Bryan Gil is suspended for this match. Daley Blind and number-one goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga will miss out due to injury. Also, Miguel Gutierrez and Ladislav Krejci are both major doubts.

Player(s) to watch:

• Arnaut Danjuma has been a standout in their Champions League campaign, with two assists. He is the guy to look out for as he can cause trouble on the break.
• Kai Havertz will take the responsibility on his shoulders in this clash. This is an important game and Havertz can help his side come on top. The German striker has only been able to score eight goals for Arsenal in the Premier League in 19 matches but is always a big threat to the opponents.