Ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash, we have the Girona vs Arsenal preview, prediction, latest team news and predicted lineups.
Girona Vs Arsenal Preview
On their maiden voyage in the new-look UEFA Champions League format, Girona were unable to successfully navigate themselves to a last 16 berth.
In fact, last season’s surprise package in La Liga will exit the competition after Wednesday’s match. However, the White and Reds can be proud of their efforts.
Last time out, Michel’s side lost 1-0 to Milan at the San Siro. Rafael Leao scored after 37 minutes to condemn the Spaniards to a sixth defeat in seven.
The only success in Europe’s elite club competition came against Slovan Bratislava. Miguel Gutierrez and Juanpe netted in a 2-0 home win on MD3.
Girona has already come up against a Premier League side this season. Mo Salah scored from the spot to give Liverpool a 1-0 win at the Estadi Montilivi on December 10.
🔜 Montilivi preparat per a una nova nit històrica de Champions! ✨#GIRARS #UCL pic.twitter.com/0vPgd3BLdd
— Girona FC (@GironaFC) January 27, 2025
Arsenal are on the very brink of automatic qualification to the round of 16. Last time out in the UEFA Champions League, the Gunners swept aside Dinamo Zagreb 3-0.
Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard all got on the scoresheet at the Emirates Stadium. The north Londoners have picked up 16 points from 21 so far.
Avoiding defeat in Spain is all that’s required from Mikel Arteta’s side to book safe passage into the knockout stages. Going into the last matchday, only Liverpool and Barcelona have qualified.
On Saturday, Arteta oversaw a controversial 1-0 victory against Wolves at Molineux. The Myles Lewis-Skelly red card was the huge talking point but Riccardo Calafiori saved the day late on after netting the winner.
Ahead of the match, the best football betting sites in the UK price Arsenal as the 5/8 favourites. Girona can be backed at 9/2 with the draw available at 10/3.
Girona Vs Arsenal Team News
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga has been ruled out for Girona. The Argentine stopper misses the game alongside ex-Man United defender Daley Blind.
The same applies to current Spurs man and loanee Bryan Gil. The Spaniard will serve a one-game suspension after picking up a trio of bookings.
Miguel Gutierrez and Ladislav Krejci are also doubts for the hosts. Both players missed the 2-1 defeat to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Arsenal will be able to call upon Myles Lewis-Skelly after his red card fiasco. His impending suspension only applies to domestic fixtures.
Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White are still sidelined. However, the latter is now back in training as he edges closer to a return.
Martin Odegaard has been struggling with illness and his participation is yet to be determined. Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino is also rated 50/50 owing to a knock.
Game changer ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/sifg0nXq6B
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 28, 2025
Girona Vs Arsenal Predicted Lineups
Girona (4-2-3-1): P. Lopez; Martinez, D. Lopez, Juanpe, Frances; Romeu, Herrera; Tsygankov, Van de Beek, Danjuma; Ruiz
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Nwaneri, Havertz, Martinelli
Girona Vs Arsenal Prediction
With Manchester City coming to town this weekend, Arsenal will be keen to get the job done as quickly as possible against their Spanish hosts.
Girona have fought admirably across their seven games but the gulf in class has proven too big. And we fully expect that to be evident again at the Estadio Montilivi.
Prediction: Girona 1-4 Arsenal
