Arsenal welcome Irish side Dundalk to the Emirates Stadium on Thursday as Matchday 2 of the 2020/21 UEFA Europa League gets underway.
The Gunners sit joint-top of Group B following a 2-1 victory over Rapid Vienna on Matchday 1, while Dundalk are third after losing by the same scoreline to Molde.
🗓 #OnThisDay in 2018...Granit released another #Xhakaboom 💥 pic.twitter.com/GjsMCqHzvt— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 28, 2020
🗓 #OnThisDay in 2018...Granit released another #Xhakaboom 💥 pic.twitter.com/GjsMCqHzvt
In their previous outing, Arsenal were beaten 1-0 by Leicester. Despite enjoying 57% possession and registering 12 shots (four on target), Mikel Arteta’s men could not avoid defeat.
Having lost three of their last four Premier League games, the Gunners find themselves 11th in the English top-flight – four points behind early frontrunners Everton and Liverpool.
It’s fair to say that Arsenal dominated Rapid Vienna last week, racking up 68% possession and 11 shots (four on target).
However, after going behind early in the second half, Arteta’s side were forced to come from behind to seal the win. Goals from David Luiz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang snatched the victory
Arsenal will be hoping that the visit of Dundalk provides them with an easier opportunity to pick up three points.
Following a five-game unbeaten streak in all competitions (three wins, two draws), Dundalk now head into Thursday’s clash on the back of two straight defeats.
Sean Murray gave the Lilywhites an unexpected first-half lead against Molde last week, but his goal proved to be the team’s only shot on target.
Despite holding out until midway through the second half, two goals in the space of ten minutes saw Dundalk throw away their lead.
On Sunday, Dundalk lost 1-0 to Waterford. The Lilywhite find themselves 3rd in the League of Ireland Premier Division – 13 points behind league leaders Shamrock Rovers.
With 16 domestic games already played this term, Dundalk have a record of W7-D4-L5. They are the second-highest scorers in the division, but only three teams have conceded more goals.
Head-to-head: This will be the first meeting between Arsenal and Dundalk, so there are no previous games to analyze for this fixture.
Team news: Gabriel Martinelli, Pablo Mari, Rob Holding and Calum Chambers are long-term absentees for Arsenal. David Luiz and Willian will be assessed ahead of Thursday’s clash.
Dundalk have no fresh injury worries ahead of their short trip to England. With nine goals in 13 league appearances this term, danger man Patrick Hoban is one to keep an eye on.
The Irish side are expected to put up a decent fight, but Arsenal’s Premier League quality is likely to shine through.
Forebet predicts that Arsenal will keep a clean sheet on their way to beating Dundalk on Thursday.