Champions League: Arsenal head to Croatia for Dinamo Zagreb clash

The last time Arsenal played Dinamo Zagreb, they comfortably won a Champions League play-off against them over two legs (5-1 on aggregate), back in 2006 with the away trip finishing in a 3-0 victory, courtesy of a Cesc Fabregas brace, either side of a Robin van Persie strike.

Arsene Wenger’s side are odds-on with Coral at 1/2 to come away from Croatia with three points and have found form in the run-up to the match. Their 2-0 win over Stoke City last time out was comprehensive, and the manager will have been pleased to see two of his strikers on the scoresheet.

Olivier Giroud now has two for the season, with both goals coming in wins, and the French centre forward is available at 4/1 to break the deadlock, while Theo Walcott has identical odds in the same market. Alexis Sanchez has slowly regained match fitness following a busy summer and the Chilean scored three goals in seven Champions League appearances last term. He is available in a matchday special at 5/2 to score anytime, twinned with an Arsenal win.

Although the hosts are unbeaten in 41 matches across all competitions, Wenger may retain Walcott in a central striking role, at the stadium where he hit a hat-trick for England in 2008 during a World Cup qualifier.

“I think he has an eye for the goal,” Wenger said, following the attacker’s strike against Stoke City.

“The quality of his receptions in the box is at the top. He will become an instinctive finisher when he has a couple of goals behind him.

“He needs a few more goals to score a bit more spontaneously. He is quick and gets into good little pockets.”

Dinamo have former Manchester United forward Angelo Henriquez, who could well be an attacking threat and priced at 4/1 to net anytime, while Armin Hodzic is worth keeping an eye on with 10/3 anytime odds.