Arteta Anticipates Energetic Eden While Mentioning Rosický Despite No Mention of Slavia

Arsenal’s journey to Prague faced unexpected delays, as their flight landed just before 7 PM, leading to a significant postponement of the press conference. The event, initially scheduled to begin at 19:15, commenced approximately 45 minutes late.

Key Players and Their Form

At the conference, Belgian winger Leandro Trossard discussed his current form and versatility on the field. He addressed concerns about Arsenal’s busy schedule during the festive period, where they are set to play four matches in ten days. Trossard also humorously reflected on his preference for long sleeves during matches.

Trossard’s Past Against Slavia

Interestingly, Trossard has encountered Slavia before, scoring against them while playing for Genk in the 2018/2019 UEFA Europa League playoffs. During that campaign, Slavia managed a notable comeback after a 0-0 draw at home, winning 4-1 away.

Mikel Arteta’s Insights

Manager Mikel Arteta fielded numerous questions, particularly about the absence of star striker Viktor Gyökeres. Arteta confirmed that Gyökeres would be unavailable for the upcoming match and emphasized the need for further medical assessments to determine the nature of his injury.

Challenges Ahead

Arteta acknowledged the challenges of maintaining squad depth, especially with injuries affecting several key players, including Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. He praised Slavia’s cohesion and strength at home, recognizing the robust atmosphere they would face.

Arteta Reflects on Rosický

A unique question from Czech journalists pertained to Tomáš Rosický, Arteta’s former teammate at Arsenal. They shared the pitch for 68 matches from 2011 to 2016, and Arteta recalled their positive experiences together. He expressed a desire to reconnect with Rosický, now Sports Director at Sparta Prague.

Match Day Expectations

On match day, Arsenal, currently leading the Premier League and holding a record of seven matches without conceding a goal, is positioned as a strong favorite. However, they face considerable personnel challenges, missing players like Martin Ødegaard and William Saliba due to various reasons.

Historic Opportunities

There is also the potential for winger Max Dowman to make history. If included in the squad, at just 15 years and 307 days old, he could become the youngest player ever to compete in the UEFA Champions League.

The highly anticipated match between Slavia Prague and Arsenal is set to unfold at Eden Stadium at 18:45. Fans and analysts alike are keen to see how this clash will affect both teams in the Champions League arena.

• Date: Upcoming match on __________ (insert date).
• Location: Eden Stadium, Prague.
• Kickoff time: 18:45.
• Key Absences: Viktor Gyökeres, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Noni Madueke, Martin Ødegaard, William Saliba.
• Potential record: Max Dowman could become the youngest player in Champions League history.