Predicted Arsenal line-up to play Dinamo Zagreb: Giroud and Debuchy to start

Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, said: “Mertesacker was in bed for 18 days – not exhausted, he had a chest infection”, as quoted by The Sunday.

However, there won’t be any underestimating the opposition, according to the Spanish global, who told the official website, “You don’t play too many games so if you make a mistake you pay for it. You have to be really focused in each game and the level is higher”.

Arsenal have kept three straight clean sheets in the top flight having shut out Liverpool, Newcastle and Stoke so they are in good form heading into European competition.

“We are creating chances and looking risky”.

“The difference is small but we have to be really focused”.

“Every single game there is a lot of pressure when you play away, but we are used to it and we have the experience to cope with playing in big away matches”.

“So it is important that we go to Zagreb and realise what is at stake there”.

Below is the side we predict Arsenal will start with later this week, bearing in mind they will also have half an eye on the upcoming league match against reigning – if faltering – champions Chelsea. Only Alex Ferguson boasts more games (190).

Last season Dinamo became the first team to go through a Croatian top-flight campaign unbeaten and they have not lost since November 2014 in a formidable run of 41 matches. They’ve not won four in a row on the road since February 2006.

– Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey has scored three goals in his last two Champions League appearances.

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