Girona performed some extraordinary feats to secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) for the very first time, but they have not been able to maintain their remarkable form in the league (W1, L6). This has led to disappointment for Michel’s team, who are now only playing for pride in their final group stage match. Despite their previous three defeats in all competitions, Girona will still face pressure to perform. In their last UCL match, they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of AC Milan, and in their most recent home game in this competition, they were defeated by Liverpool with the same scoreline. Up next for Girona are Premier League giants Arsenal, and they will be hoping to avoid the embarrassment of being the first team from one of Europe’s top five leagues to suffer five consecutive UCL defeats without scoring a goal. With Arsenal yet to concede from open play in this season’s UCL, this record could potentially be broken on Wednesday in Catalonia.
The Gunners are almost guaranteed a spot in the top eight and automatic progression to the round of 16, regardless of the result. However, they will be determined to extend their unbeaten run of four matches since being eliminated from the FA Cup earlier this month (W3, D1). Their 1-0 victory against Wolves on Saturday was particularly impressive, especially considering they were down to ten men after Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off before half-time. If they can replicate that same defensive strength on the road, Arsenal could achieve back-to-back UCL away wins for the first time since December 2016, when they defeated Sporting CP 5-1.
Two players to keep an eye on are Abel Ruiz, who has scored 12 of his last 14 goals at home, and Arsenal’s Kai Havertz, who has scored in his last three UCL matches. The last German player to achieve this feat in four consecutive matches was Marco Reus in 2015. Interesting fact: Arsenal are unbeaten in their last eight away matches in all competitions, scoring three or more goals in four of those matches (W4), with their remaining four matches resulting in one victory and three draws.
