Arsenal travel to Spain to face Girona in their final Champions League league phase match on Wednesday night, aiming to secure a strong finish before heading into the knockout rounds. The Gunners have enjoyed an impressive European campaign so far, winning five of their seven matches and virtually guaranteeing a place in the round of 16.
Mikel Arteta’s side also returned to winning ways in the Premier League over the weekend, grinding out a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Wolves. Meanwhile, their opponents, Girona, have already been eliminated from the competition, managing just three points from seven games.
With Arsenal focusing on both domestic and European success, Arteta is expected to rotate his squad ahead of a crucial Premier League showdown against Manchester City this weekend. Can the Gunners maintain their momentum and finish the group stage on a high? Let’s break down everything you need to know.
Match Details: Girona vs Arsenal
- 📍 Location: Estadi Municipal de Montilivi, Girona, Spain
- 📅 Date: Wednesday, January 29, 2025
- ⏰ Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
- 📺 Broadcast: TNT Sports, Paramount+
- 👨⚖️ Referee: Maurizio Mariani (Italy)
- 🎥 VAR: Daniele Chiffi (Italy)
Head-to-Head Record
This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between Girona and Arsenal.
Current Form (All Competitions)
Girona
📉 Recent Results:
- ❌ Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Girona – 26/01/25
- ❌ Milan 1-0 Girona – 22/01/25
- ❌ Girona 1-2 Sevilla – 18/01/25
- ✅ Deportivo Alaves 0-1 Girona – 11/01/25
- ✅ Girona 3-0 Real Valladolid – 22/12/24
📊 Key Stats:
- Girona have lost three consecutive matches in all competitions.
- They have scored just two goals in their last four games.
Arsenal
📈 Recent Results:
- ✅ Wolves 0-1 Arsenal – 25/01/25
- ✅ Arsenal 3-0 Dinamo Zagreb – 22/01/25
- 🔄 Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa – 18/01/25
- ✅ Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham – 15/01/25
- ❌ Arsenal 1-1 (3-5p) Man Utd – 12/01/25
📊 Key Stats:
- Arsenal have won four of their last five games in all competitions.
- The Gunners have kept clean sheets in three of their last four matches.
Girona Team News & Predicted Lineup
Girona will be without some key players for this fixture, including former Tottenham winger Bryan Gil, who is suspended. Exciting left-back Miguel Gutiérrez remains sidelined with a leg injury, while Ladislav Krejčí is out with a hip issue.
However, there will be some familiar faces for Premier League fans, with former Spurs goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga expected to start in goal. Ex-Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek and former Everton loanee Arnaut Danjuma could also feature in the starting XI.
📝 Predicted Girona Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Gazzaniga; Martínez, López, Juanpe, Blind; Romeu, Herrera; Tsygankov, Van de Beek, Danjuma; Ruiz
Arsenal Team News & Predicted Lineup
Mikel Arteta is expected to make changes to his starting XI, with a crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City on the horizon.
Myles Lewis-Skelly is available for this match before serving his three-game domestic suspension. Meanwhile, Ben White remains out, while Takehiro Tomiyasu, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Jesus are all unavailable due to injury. Captain Martin Ødegaard has been struggling with illness and is a doubt for this fixture.
📝 Predicted Arsenal Lineup (4-3-3):
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Jorginho, Merino, Nwaneri; Sterling, Havertz, Martinelli
Key Battles to Watch
1️⃣ Girona’s Defense vs. Arsenal’s Attack
With Arteta likely to rotate, this could be a chance for Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling to shine. Girona’s defense has been leaky in recent games, and Arsenal’s high-pressing style could cause problems.
2️⃣ Jorginho vs. Oriol Romeu
Two experienced midfielders will go head-to-head in the center of the pitch. Jorginho’s ability to dictate play could be crucial in breaking down Girona’s defensive structure.
3️⃣ Arsenal’s Backline vs. Girona’s Counter-Attack
Arsenal’s defense has been solid in recent weeks, but Girona will look to exploit spaces on the counter. Donny van de Beek and Arnaut Danjuma could be key threats.
Girona vs Arsenal: Score Prediction
Girona’s European journey is coming to an end, and while they will want to finish on a high, their recent form suggests they may struggle against a disciplined Arsenal side.
Arteta’s men have been defensively solid, and even with rotation, they should have enough quality to secure another Champions League victory. Expect a controlled performance from the Gunners, with their midfield dictating the tempo and their attack capitalizing on key moments.
🔮 Prediction: Girona 0-2 Arsenal
Final Thoughts
Arsenal have already done the hard work in the Champions League league phase, but finishing strong will be key to maintaining momentum ahead of the knockout rounds. Girona, already eliminated, will play with freedom, but the Gunners’ quality should see them through.
With a crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City looming, Arteta will be hoping for a professional performance with no injury setbacks.
Stay tuned to CupsDeeps for all the latest Champions League updates, match analysis, and exclusive insights!
FAQs: Girona vs Arsenal
1️⃣ What happens if Arsenal lose to Girona?
Arsenal have already secured qualification to the Champions League knockout rounds, so a loss would not impact their progress. However, it could affect their final seeding.
2️⃣ Who are the key players for Arsenal in this match?
Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz, and Jorginho are expected to play crucial roles.
3️⃣ What is Arsenal’s record in Spain?
Arsenal have historically struggled in Spain, winning just five of their last 18 away matches against Spanish opposition in European competitions.
4️⃣ Will Mikel Arteta rotate his squad?
Yes, Arteta is expected to make several changes to rest key players ahead of the Premier League clash against Manchester City.
5️⃣ Where can I watch Girona vs Arsenal?
The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports in the UK and Paramount+ in the US.
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