Slavia Prague vs Arsenal could hand the Czech side an unwanted piece of Champions League history. Slavia are winless in 22 league-phase and knockout matches in the competition, one short of the all-time record, and they face an Arsenal side buoyed by a big win at Liverpool.
Slavia in strong domestic form
Slavia have rebounded well from a four-game winless run (three draws, one defeat). They scored nine unanswered goals in two domestic wins and sit seven points clear at the top of the Czech league.
They have lost just twice in all competitions this season (11 wins, five draws), and both defeats came in the Champions League. Since winning their first game in the competition, they have drawn eight and lost 14. They have also failed to win any of their last 18 European fixtures (six draws, 12 defeats).
In this season’s league phase, Slavia sit 32nd with one point from three games.
Arsenal arrive on the back of a statement win
Arsenal answered their embarrassing EFL Cup defeat to fourth-tier Fleetwood with a 1-0 win at Liverpool, which returned them to the top of the Premier League. It was only their second win in their last five away games in all competitions (one draw, two defeats).
The draw in that run was a 2-2 with Bayern Munich on matchday three, which ended a 14-match winning streak in the league phase. Mikel Arteta’s side are ninth with seven points and unbeaten in nine Champions League away games (six wins, three draws). Their only defeat in their last 18 matches in the competition came in last season’s final.
Head-to-head favours the Gunners
Slavia have never beaten Arsenal in five meetings (two draws, three defeats). They failed to score in any of the three games they hosted, most recently a 3-0 defeat in last season’s league phase.
Arsenal are unbeaten against Czech opposition (nine wins, two draws) and have never conceded an away goal against such teams.
Key stats and streaks
Slavia have conceded two or more goals in eight of their last nine Champions League home games.
They have failed to score in six of their last ten Champions League matches.
Five of Arsenal’s six Champions League goals this season came after half-time.
Arsenal have scored two or more goals in only one of their last five away games.
Players to watch and team news
Mubarak Suleiman is in superb form for Slavia, with five goal involvements (four goals, one assist) in their last two games. He has scored the opener in all three of his scoring appearances this season.
He will have to beat David Raya, who has the best clean-sheet ratio (54%) of any goalkeeper with 25 or more starts in Champions League history.
Samuel Isife and Lukáš Provod are injury concerns for Slavia, while Arsenal are without Bukayo Saka. Given Arsenal’s superb head-to-head record, they look the likelier side to win without conceding.
German referee Stieler takes charge at the Fortuna Arena in Prague.