Slavia Prague vs Arsenal: preview
We have the lineups for the Slavia Prague vs Arsenal match in the context of the fourth round of the group stage of the Champions League for the 2026/27 season. In the fourth round of the Champions League, the best teams from the Czech Republic and England will face each other. "Slavia" hopes to earn its first points at home in the competition, while "Arsenal" is focused on a win away.
Key points
Slavia Prague
1. "Slavia" has shown power in recent matches
The Czechs started the Champions League with defeats against "Lans" 2:3 and "Sabah" 0:2. In the third round they showed character: they lost away to "Fenerbahçe" 0:2, but managed to draw in the final minute thanks to Pavel Kacor’s precise shot – 2:2.
With the upcoming match, the players of Yindrzhikh and Třpíšovský come in with a five‑match unbeaten run, winning the last two games 9:0 – "Zbrojovka Brno" 4:0 and "Jablonec" 5:0. They reached the Czech Cup semi‑finals and comfortably lead the league table. The only thing left is to translate these results to European clubs.
2. Slavia has many injuries and Nazar Domchak could debut in the Champions League
The hosts’ shelter is full. In defense, in recent matches, an entire group of players led by the main goalkeeper, Jakub Marković, did not play. If the Czech does not recover, the 19‑year‑old Nazar Domchak will take his place in the starting lineup. Samuel Isife and Elias Pita are also unavailable. In midfield and attack, experienced players Adonijah Wanda, Lukáš Provod and Ivan Šranč are missing. Good news: after an injury, Štefan Halaúpek, the Czech national centre‑back, returned in the last round and must reinforce the team’s defense. The young legionnaires Mubarak Suleiman and Emmanuel Ayosi, and veteran Daniel Šturm are standing out.
3. The Czech attack is productive, but "Slavia" still struggles in the Champions League
The Prague side has not won in the Champions League in 11 matches: four draws and seven defeats. In the current competition, they have scored four goals in three games – a good result if not for defensive lapses. "Slavia" concedes at least two goals. Moreover, the Czechs do not know how to play against "Arsenal": exactly one year ago, on 4 November, they lost 0:3 at home. In the five direct encounters in the active Prague side, they have only drawn two matches, lost three, and their goal difference is 1:15.
Arsenal
1. "Arsenal" arrives at European clubs with good spirits
Last week was ambivalent for the Londoners. On one hand, they came out sensationally from the League Cup against "Fleetwood" by losing in the penalty shootout after a 1:1 draw in regular time. On the other, for the first time in 13 years, they beat "Liverpool" at home 1:0, preventing the Reds from shooting at the goal. This success and the rivals’ failures allowed "Arsenal" to lead the Premier League after nine rounds, three points ahead of the nearest rival.
In the Champions League, Mikel Arteta’s protected side started with victories over "Napoli" 1:0 and "Lille" 3:0, losing only in the third round in Munich, drawing with "Bayern" 2:2. The Londoners’ schedule was demanding; all opponents belong to the five best leagues, but they confirmed their class.
2. The London shelter empties
In the league match, the first after an injury on the field was Christopher Chukwu, adding speed and variety to the London attack. In the shelter, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba remain. Arteta’s squad is diverse, so rotation is expected against league play. I think the opportunity to start from the beginning will give recently recovered players Cristian Mosquera, Piero Incape and Martin Subiñendi, as well as Mikel Merino and Victor Deykeresh, who get little time in the Premier League. In the match against "Lille", Arteta had already rested the leaders; now he has even more options for rotation, especially in defense.
3. "Arsenal" in good form and reliable defense
The Londoners arrive in the Czech Republic with a seven‑match unbeaten run, and this season they have lost once in 15 matches. Arteta’s team has scored only in one match, and they have gone goalless in nine games. The team’s reserve defense is the strongest in the Premier League and one of the best in the Champions League. Zero shots on target against "Anfield" is the best measure of the quality of the "Cannons" defense.
Approximate lineups
3-4-2-1-4-2-3-1 29
Domchak 6
N’Gessan 4
Zima 27
Vichik 8
Kubyak 23
Sadilek 16
Mosés 15
Suleiman 30
Novak 20
Ayosi 10
Šturm 1
Raya 4
White 3
Mosquera 6
Gabriel 5
Incapé 36
Subiñendi 39
Gimaraín 20
Maduéke 23
Merino 10
Eze 14
Deykeresh
Betting on the trend
"Arsenal" beat "Slavia" by two goals or more in three of the five direct encounters. Bet: F2(-2,5) at 3.00.
"Slavia" does not score against "Arsenal" in four of the five direct encounters. Bet: IT1M0,5 at 1.94.
Forecast
Slavia Prague vs Arsenal 05.11.2026 00:00
The competitors have successfully played their matches in the home arena. The Czechs again showed their offensive potential, which is not only displayed in the home arena but also in Europe with their best side. In the Champions League, "Slavia" has defensive problems: defenders do not always follow opponents, as the pace and speed in the competition are higher than in the Czech championship. Additionally, injuries hit the hosts. "Arsenal", on the other hand, once again showed the reliability of their defense over the weekend, giving not a single chance to the "Liverpool" attack. And, in general, with the Londoners’ defense, now few can match it, if they do at all. The English are gradually emptying their shelter, meaning Arteta has more options on the field, and the team’s leaders have rest opportunities.
The level difference between the teams is seen in the tournament table and in the direct encounter statistics. The Czechs have never beaten the Londoners in five matches, scoring one and conceding 15 goals. Now, I think the series will continue.
Forecast: 0-2
