Slavia Praha vs Arsenal Europa League preview: where to watch, team news, predictions
Thursday, April 15, 2021
Article summary
Where to watch, team news and expert predictions for the quarter-final second leg.
Article top media content
Article body
Arsenal and Slavia are all-square at 1-1 going into their UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg on 15 April at 21:00 CET. This page will update with team news, quotes and expert analysis as kick-off approaches.
What happened in the first leg?
The Gunners hit the woodwork twice, firstly via Willian's free-kick just after the break, and then when Alexandre Lacazette raced through the middle just after the hour. Mikel Arteta's men looked to have secured victory with four minutes remaining when substitute Nicolas Pépé delivered a neat finish, but deep into added time defender Tomáš Holeš headed Slavia level.
Where to watch the game on TV
Fans can find their local UEFA Europa League broadcast partner(s) here.
Form guide
Slavia Praha
Form: WDDWWW
Latest: Slavia Praha 2-0 Sparta Praha, 11/04
Where they stand: 1st in Czech First League
Arsenal
Form: WDLDLWW
Latest: Sheffield United 0-3 Arsenal, 11/04
Where they stand: 9th in Premier League
Possible line-ups
Slavia: Kolář; Bah, Zima, Holeš, Bořil; Masopust, Stanciu, Hromada, Provod, Olayinka; Kuchta
Arsenal: Leno; Bellerín, Holding, Pablo Marí, Cédric; Willian, Smith Rowe, Xhaka, Elneny, Saka; Aubameyang
Expert predictions
Ondřej Zlámal, Slavia reporter: Slavia will need a perfect defensive display to deny Arsenal the sort of clear-cut chances they squandered in the first leg – the Gunners will surely not make the same mistake twice. The hosts must stay faithful to their attacking style and believe that they can cause another big upset. The first goal will be crucial.
Samantha Miller, Arsenal reporter: The first leg was all about frustration for Arsenal, compounded when they conceded the equaliser just after taking the lead. The Gunners will need to start taking their chances in the second leg.
View from the camps
Jindřich Trpišovský, Slavia coach: "We have a very promising result for the second leg and we have a chance to finish the job at home. Arsenal will have to score a goal, and we will have to avoid conceding goals like the one [in the first leg] following our own set piece. Our defensive display will have to be flawless."
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager: "We have to see [whether Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Martin Ødegaard will be able to play]. We have been really impressed with [Slavia’s] form; the attitude and desire they show in every game and that’s why they’re here – because they knocked out some big teams on the way and fully deserve to be where they are. They showed again in the first leg against us that they never give up and they scored in the last minute of the game. We’re going to have a real battle."