Arsenal have successfully booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League. The Gunners fought back to secure a 2-1 win over Girona in their final league phase outing in Spain on Wednesday night, with a penalty from Jorginho after a foul on Thomas Partey and a cracking strike from teenager Ethan Nwaneri sparing Neto’s blushes after the Arsenal debutant blundered for an opening goal for the hosts against the run of play from former Tottenham winger Arnaut Danjuma.
The shaky performance from Bournemouth loanee Neto was a concern for Arteta, who revealed before the game that first-choice goalkeeper David Raya was not fit to play despite training on Tuesday and travelling with the squad to the Estadi Montilivi. Arteta reaffirmed after the game that the Spaniard was injured and it remains to be seen if he will be recovered in time for Sunday’s huge Premier League showdown with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The only other negative on the night for Arsenal was a second penalty in stoppage time that Raheem Sterling saw saved as his struggles on loan from Chelsea continue. One of AC Milan, Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven or Juventus now await Arteta’s men in the last 16 in March.
Girona vs Arsenal highlights
- Sterling misses second Arsenal penalty in stoppage time
- NO GOAL! Stuani equaliser disallowed for offside
- GOAL! Nwaneri fires Arsenal in front before half-time
- GOAL! Jorginho levels with penalty after Partey fouled
- GOAL! Danjuma scores after bizarre Neto goalkeeping
- NO GOAL! Early Calafiori effort ruled out for offside
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 22:00Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Estadi Montilivi
The Gunners conclude the league phase of the Champions League with another win.
They have come third in the league and go straight into the last 16.
Neto shaky on debut, but Ethan Nwaneri brilliant again. Six goals already for the 17-year-old this season.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:58 , George FloodFull-time
Arsenal safely into the last 16 of the Champions League without any last-gasp drama or need for a nervy two-legged knockout play-off tie, finishing third behind Liverpool and Barcelona.
Their strong run in Europe goes on and it’s now three straight wins across all competitions ahead of two huge matches against Manchester City and Newcastle.
Now to await another Mikel Arteta update on David Raya.
Girona end their maiden Champions League campaign with a seventh defeat from eight to end 33rd with only three points, eliminated from Europe altogether.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:55 , George Flood96 mins: Arsenal are still pushing hard for a late third goal here, but time is up.
Stuani has also been booked by the way, meaning he will be banned for Girona’s next European game - whenever that is.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:53 , George Flood94 mins: Penalty saved!
Lopez gets down low to his left at full stretch to push Sterling’s spot-kick around the post.
Another tough moment in an Arsenal shirt for Sterling.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:52 , George Flood93 mins: Sterling is being made to wait here, with a lot of pushing and shoving outside the box.
Arsenal are unhappy about something and Rice is booked.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:52 , George Flood92 mins: ANOTHER PENALTY TO ARSENAL!
Handball by Frances. Talk about blatant!
With Jorginho off, it’s going to be Sterling...
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:51 , George Flood90 mins: Into five minutes of added time.
Girona have created the better chances late on here, but now Arsenal are looking to finish with a flourish with a succession of corners.
Can they put this game to bed? Ball held by Lopez as Gabriel tries to connect with a header at the back post under pressure from Danjuma.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:49 , George Flood88 mins: Safe hands from Neto to hold Martinez’s header from inside the box after a Danjuma cross.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:46 , George Flood86 mins: Martinez takes down Merino and joins Portu, Yaakobishvili and Sterling in the book.
The 500 travelling Arsenal fans rise to salute Nwaneri, who is replaced by Gabriel Martinelli.
“He’s one of our own,” is the chant from the away end.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:44 , George Flood84 mins: Lopez slaps the ball away again at one end before at the other Stuani wants a penalty after colliding with Lewis-Skelly.
A brief check by VAR, but it’s quickly cleared.
Never a spot-kick.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:43 , George Flood82 mins: Declan Rice is the fourth Arsenal substitute sent on by Arteta.
Jorginho makes way.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:4179 mins: Probably still raging at being denied that fine assist, Portu fails to win a free-kick and expresses his fury with referee Maurizio Mariani.
He quickly receives a booking for his troubles.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:3677 mins: The hosts are level inside the final 15 minutes... hang on, no they aren’t.
Odegaard is caught in possession and wants a foul but doesn’t get it.
Van de Beek breaks forward and feeds Portu, whose superb low cross to the back post is finished on the slide by former Middlesbrough marksman Stuani.
The stadium erupts, but the VAR cuts short those celebrations by chalking it off for offside.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:33 , George Flood72 mins: Arsenal are starting to turn the screw just a little here again after those changes, Pau Lopez called into action once more before Sterling can’t hit the target.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:33 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Estadi Montilivi
Sterling absolutely livid with the referee there, he cannot believe that's not a penalty.
Turns to the bench in exasperation after.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:31 , George Flood71 mins: Sterling looks to have his shirt pulled by Herrera before falling in the box under the challenge of Martinez.
He’s immediately booked for simulation and produces a furious response.
That looked harsh.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:29 , George Flood69 mins: Two more changes coming from Arteta with just over 20 minutes to play.
Calafiori and Trossard are replaced by Lewis-Skelly and Havertz.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:2966 mins: Arsenal are looking a little flat midway through this second half and it looks like Kai Havertz will be on soon.
Former Manchester United midfielder Van de Beek and Spanish winger Portu are now on for Girona.
Michel is going for this, with Ivan Martin and Tsyhankov off.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:25 , George FloodAll sorts of drama across this final round of Champions League league phase fixtures, by the way.
A much-changed Liverpool side are currently losing 3-2 to PSV in Eindhoven, while Barcelona are beating Atalanta 1-0 at the Camp Nou.
If those results hold, Barcelona would finish first and Liverpool second, with Arsenal down in third.
Elsewhere things are changing almost by the second, with a certain Ollie Watkins putting Aston Villa 3-2 up at home to Celtic.
Manchester City have turned it around to lead Club Brugge 2-1 - does a play-off place beckon after all?
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:24 , George Flood63 mins: A little spell of pressure now from the hosts and Martinez’s header from a corner goes comfortably wide of the back post.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:22 , George Flood61 mins: Calafiori - who had an early goal ruled out for offside - now tries his luck again but shoots well wide of Lopez’s goal.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:21 , George Flood59 mins: A bit of a lull in this otherwise quite eventful game now, but some nice touches from Arsenal including an eye-catching turn from Odegaard.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:16 , George Flood56 mins: Another excellent effort from Nwaneri has Lopez worried before fizzing just wide.
Asprilla, Ruiz and Romeu are heading off for Girona.
Solis, Stuani and Herrera all on.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:15 , George Flood54 mins: Changes coming from Girona boss Michel as Trossard’s effort inside the box is blocked behind by Yaakobishvili.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:14 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Estadi Montilivi
An audible scream there from Gabriel as one of Girona's midfielders receives the ball in acres of space and turns to run at the Arsenal defence. Arsenal still a bit disjointed.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:13 , George Flood53 mins: Nwaneri continues to cause Girona plenty of issues as gets to the byline and a delicate cross is just tipped away by Pau Lopez.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:12 , George Flood51 mins: An audible scream from Trossard as he’s brought down by Yaakobishvili, who receives the first yellow card of the evening from Italian referee Maurizio Mariani.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:10 , George Flood49 mins: Arsenal are now piling on the pressure with these corners, a flick-on from Gabriel inadvertently kept out by Timber before the ball is slapped off the line by Pau Lopez.
Timber and Ivan Martin have both taken a knock, the former now on his feet after staying down in the goalmouth.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:07 , George Flood46 mins: A bizarre start to the second half as Frances almost beats his own goalkeeper as the ball kicks up high off the defender and then flies narrowly wide of the post.
The Gunners have a corner and Gabriel can only blaze well over on the volley beyond the back post.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:06 , George FloodBack underway at the Estadi Montilivi.
One change from Arteta as Timber replaces Partey at right-back.
No substitutions from Girona just yet.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:01 , George FloodNeto won’t be wanting to see this again.
Imagine if he had saved that outside the box.
Totally bizarre goalkeeping from the debutant.
Arteta will be praying that Raya is back for Manchester City at the weekend.
It's a nightmare for Arsenal's debutant goalkeeper Neto 😬
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 29, 2025
Ex-Tottenham Hotspur forward Arnaut Danjuma puts Girona ahead 🐍
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/OBfGhqOBXj
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:58 , George FloodNot a bad way for Ethan Nwaneri to mark his first Champions League start.
The 17-year-old keeps getting better and better.
He’s equalled Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas with the most Champions League appearances before turning 18 for Arsenal.
🌟 Ethan Nwaneri is 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 🌟
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 29, 2025
The 17-year-old scores a sensational goal on first Champions League start to give Arsenal the lead 🔴👏
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Z8GQ4A8iC0
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:56Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Estadi Montilivi
Arsenal fell behind after some poor goalkeeping from Neto allowed Danjuma to score.
Looked shaky at the back, but responded well to lead.
Jorginho slotted a penalty and then Nwaneri scored a lovely goal. Nwaneri looks like the best cover for Saka at the moment.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:49 , George FloodHalf-time
An eventful first half in Catalonia, with Jorginho's penalty and a fine Nwaneri strike having the Gunners in the lead after Danjuma's opener.
Plenty of positives for Arteta, but Neto a worry so far.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:48 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Estadi Montilivi
A few murmurs around the ground as the fact that Manchester City are losing 1-0 at home to Club Brugge is shown on the big screen.
The Arsenal away fans let out a little cheer.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:47 , George Flood44 mins: Arsenal are really in the mood now as Trossard breaks down the right and thunders an effort against the crossbar.
Girona 1-2 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:46Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Estadi Montilivi
Brilliant finish from Nwaneri. Literally seconds earlier he had tried the same action of cutting in and hit it straight at a defender.
GOAL! Girona 1-2 Arsenal | Ethan Nwaneri 42'
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:44 , George Flood42 mins: A quick-fire double from the Gunners to nudge in front!
A belting, curling strike from Nwaneri. Brilliant goal on his first Champions League start.
Girona had missed a massive chance at the other end just moments before...
Girona 1-1 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:42 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Estadi Montilivi
After that penalty was won - and VAR was checking - Arteta called Merino over for a long chat.
Clearly not happy with Arsenal's control in midfield.
GOAL! Girona 1-1 Arsenal | Jorginho (pen) 38'
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:40 , George Flood38 mins: Pau Lopez guesses the right way put that was well-struck from Jorginho low to the goalkeeper’s left.
All square in Catalonia.
Girona 1-0 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:38 , George Flood36 mins: PENALTY TO ARSENAL!
Partey dispossesses Martinez inside the box and is then taken out by the defender.
No doubt about that one. Jorginho to step up...
Girona 1-0 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:37 , George Flood33 mins: Arsenal have been all over the place since the goal as Jorginho has to scramble to make an important block from Danjuma inside the box.
Girona 1-0 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:36 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Estadi Montilivi
Danjuma - once of Tottenham - puts Girona ahead. Arsenal had been decent until that, but a shambles for that goal.
Girona 1-0 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:35Utterly bizarre goalkeeping from Neto, who came tearing out of his own box and then tried to save Danjuma’s effort with his hands on the dive.
He’d have been sent off if he made contact with that.
A woeful start for the Brazilian on his debut.
GOAL! Girona 1-0 Arsenal | Arnaut Danjuma 28'
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:29 , George Flood28 mins: The former Tottenham loanee puts Girona ahead against the run of play!
Captain Juanpe releases Danjuma, who is in beyond Partey with Neto again coming racing out of his area.
He’s in no man’s land as the Dutchman nets with a brilliant finish.
That looked offside initially, but the goal stands!
Girona 0-0 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:28 , George Flood25 mins: Neto does not look confident at all when coming racing out of his box like that, this time lofting the ball straight to a Girona player.
Girona 0-0 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:27 , George Flood23 mins: Arsenal come streaming down the left flank as Trossard releases Sterling, whose low cross is turned behind by Arnau Martinez.
Trossard’s corner from the left is headed on by Gabriel and Kiwior before being cleared by Asprilla.
Girona 0-0 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:25 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Estadi Montilivi
We are only halfway through the first half, but Sterling has looked a bit brighter on that left flank.
Seems to suit cutting inside onto his right foot.
Girona 0-0 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:23 , George Flood19 mins: A crucial last-ditch challenge from Frances thwarts Nwaneri, who has been Arsenal’s most threatening player so far.
The teenager delivers another dangerous corner from the right and another delivery to the back post creates panic in the Girona backline.
They scramble clear.
Girona 0-0 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:20 , George Flood17 mins: Plenty of early possession for Arsenal, who are just struggling to find a way in behind Girona’s defence at the moment.
Pau Lopez rushes out to guide a corner away from Gabriel, who is penalised.
Girona 0-0 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:18 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Estadi Montilivi
Will be intrigued to know if this is in place at every ground, but goal updates from every game are being shown on the big screen here on what is a hectic final day of the league phase.
Girona 0-0 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:14 , George Flood12 mins: GOOOA... NO!
Sterling plays through Calafiori, who has a taste for goals after Molineux as he fires confidently low through the legs of Pau Lopez.
But the offside flag is up. That looked tight.
Girona 0-0 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:13 , George Flood10 mins: Danjuma is the dangerman for Girona early on, cutting in off that left flank again before seeing another low effort blocked.
Committed defending from Arsenal inside their own box.
Girona 0-0 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:11 , George Flood9 mins: Girona will clearly have a threat on the counter-attack tonight and Ivan Martin’s effort is helped over the crossbar by the head of Gabriel.
The corner breaks down, with former Tottenham, Everton and Bournemouth winger Danjuma trying to cut inside off the left and create space for another shot.
Girona 0-0 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:097 mins: Arsenal are causing Girona’s undermanned defence a lot of problems in the opening minutes here, with Sterling getting to the byline and seeing a low cross blocked behind.
The Gunners come again and a dangerous cross from the left from Nwaneri is missed by Yaakobishvili before bouncing just wide off Trossard.
Girona 0-0 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:06 , George Flood4 mins: Sterling turns inside the box and fires wide of the back post.
He looks understandably eager to make an impression early on here.
Girona 0-0 Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:05 , George Flood2 mins: An early free-kick is swung into the box from Arsenal from the left, with appeals for a penalty for handball waved away. Checked and cleared by VAR.
Girona break and there’s a nervy start for Neto, who races outside his area and almost has a disaster with his first touch that is charged down by former Watford star Asprilla.
Arsenal survive, but not what they want to see from the debutant early on.
Girona vs Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:03 , George FloodUnderway in Catalonia!
Instant pressure from Arsenal, with those 500 travelling fans in fine voice...
Girona vs Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:00 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Estadi Montilivi
There is a tiny pocket of Arsenal fans in one of the corners here, about 500 in total.
Must be the smallest away allocation they have had in Europe for years.
Girona vs Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 19:58Here come the teams in Girona!
Time for that famous Champions League anthem.
Arsenal handed Raya injury concern before Man City clash
Wednesday 29 January 2025 19:54 , George FloodMikel Arteta only says that David Raya is “not fit” during his pre-match interview with TNT Sports, with no other information given.
A huge concern with Manchester City and Newcastle looming.
He does say that Neto - at 35 Arsenal’s oldest debutant for more than a century - fully deserves his chance.
He also praised Ethan Nwaneri again and insisted that the job is not quite done for Arsenal in the Champions League just yet, despite being told that his side went through automatically in all 10,000 simulations of tonight’s final round of league phase games run by one company.
🔴 Neto: 35 years old
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 29, 2025
🔴 Ethan Nwaneri: 17 years old
Mikel Arteta gives his thoughts on two players on the opposite ends of their playing careers, who both start for Arsenal against Girona 👀
🎙️ @PhilKitro | 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/igWCuRtcdy
Girona vs Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 19:36 , George FloodPre-match thoughts from Standard Sport’s Arsenal correspondent Simon Collings at the Estadi Montilivi...
🗣️ "Only a freak set of results would see Arsenal miss out on a top-eight finish."@sr_collings is at the Estadi Montilivi to preview the Gunners' final league phase clash with Girona
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) January 29, 2025
LIVE: https://t.co/bduJFvTh2w#AFC | #GIRARS | #UCL pic.twitter.com/yeCq3vi5L2
Arteta confirms Raya 'not fit' to play for Arsenal tonight
Wednesday 29 January 2025 19:31 , George FloodMikel Arteta has confirmed in his pre-match television interview that David Raya - who did travel out to Spain with the rest of the Arsenal squad - is "not fit" to play tonight.
Another key injury concern for the Gunners with those huge clashes against Manchester City and Newcastle to come in the next week.
An important chance for deputy Neto tonight then to show that he can step up in those high-profile games if needed.
Six changes from Girona
Wednesday 29 January 2025 19:25 , George FloodGirona make six changes to the side that lost 2-1 away at Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga on Sunday - their third straight defeat across all competitions.
One former Tottenham goalkeeper replaces another as Pau Lopez comes in for Paulo Gazzaniga, who does make the bench.
David Lopez and Daley Blind are both injured, so Antal Yaakobishvili and Alejandro Frances come into defence.
Oriol Romeu, Viktor Tsygankov and Abel Ruiz also replace Donny van de Beek, Yangel Herrera and the suspended Bryan Gil.
There are so many ex-Premier League players in this Girona squad.
Neto makes Arsenal debut as Odegaard and Merino return
Wednesday 29 January 2025 19:11 , George FloodSo the headline Arsenal team news is Bournemouth loanee Neto making his debut in goal, backed up by youngsters Tommy Setford and Jack Porter on the bench with no David Raya in the squad at all.
Just rested or an issue for the Gunners’ No1?
Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino are both fit to start after missing the win at Wolves, with Jakub Kiwior and Molineux match-winner Riccardo Calafiori coming into the defence.
Thomas Partey is moved to right-back as Jorginho is also brought into midfield.
Kai Havertz gets a rest in attack, with Leandro Trossard seemingly playing through the middle, supported by Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling.
Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Declan Rice, Gabriel Martinelli and Havertz all drop out from the weekend, but all are on the bench tonight along with the likes of other youngsters Nathan Butler-Oyedeji and Salah Oulad M'Hand.
Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko are also among the substitutes.
Girona lineup
Wednesday 29 January 2025 19:03 , George FloodGirona XI: Pau Lopez, Martinez, Yaakobishvili, Juanpe, Frances, Ivan Martin, Romeu, Tsygankov, Asprilla, Danjuma, Ruiz
Subs: Gazzaniga, Bilali, Van de Beek, Stuani, Miovski, Herrera, SolIs, Portu, Comas, Selvi, Kim, Artero
Arsenal lineup
Wednesday 29 January 2025 18:47Arsenal XI: Neto, Partey, Kiwior, Gabriel, Calafiori, Jorginho, Merino, Odegaard, Nwaneri, Sterling, Trossard
Subs: Setford, Porter, Timber, Zinchenko, Lewis-Skelly, Tierney, Saliba, Rice, Salah, Martinelli, Butler-Oyedeji, Havertz
Permutations for Arsenal tonight
Wednesday 29 January 2025 18:41So in terms of the Champions League permutations for tonight, Arsenal head into the last round of league phase fixtures sitting third after last week’s 3-0 win at home to Dinamo Zagreb and could yet finish in second if they beat Girona and Barcelona lose at home to Atalanta.
Only leaders Liverpool, Barca and Atalanta have a better goal difference than the Gunners’ +12 in the top eight, meaning they should really be safely and automatically into the last 16 tonight whatever happens unless there is an extraordinary swing on that front.
Games like Inter Milan vs Monaco and Lille vs Feyenoord lessen the unlikely risk of them being demoted into the play-offs even further.
The slightly confusing bracket and pairing system means the team that finishes third or fourth will play one of the teams that finishes 13th, 14th, 19th or 20th in the last 16.
Currently that is Brest, Borussia Dortmund, PSV Eindhoven and Club Brugge, though much is expected to change on an eventful night of action across the continent, and of course those teams will have to compete in the play-offs first.
The struggles of the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, PSG and Manchester City make finishing high in the top eight not as much of a boost as it should be.
Arsenal and Girona transfer fight for Sverre Nypan
Wednesday 29 January 2025 18:18 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Arsenal correspondent Simon Collings has arrived at the Estadi Montilivi for tonight’s game.
As he points out, one Sverre Nypan is likely to be very interested in this contest.
Arsenal, Girona and Aston Villa are all hoping to sign Rosenborg’s 18-year-old midfield wonderkid - one of the most highly-rated young players in Europe - before Monday night’s transfer deadline.
Girona of course are part of the City Football Group, a sister club of Manchester City’s along with the likes of Palermo, Troyes, New York City FC, Lommel, Mumbai City, Melbourne City, Yokohama F Marinos and Bahia, among others.
In Girona for the Nypan derby. pic.twitter.com/xoDD8JnNEX
— Simon Collings (@sr_collings) January 29, 2025
Arsenal receive just 500 tickets for Girona clash
Wednesday 29 January 2025 18:10Tonight’s venue - the quaint and rather unique Estadi Montilivi, which has a capacity of just 14,624.
Due to some of the stands being temporary, that figure is below 10,000 in the Champions League.
Arsenal received an allocation of just 500 for this game, making the tickets like gold dust for a fanbase of that size.
Arsenal 'see shock £60m Ollie Watkins bid rejected'
Wednesday 29 January 2025 17:59 , George FloodBefore we go any further building up to tonight’s match, we should probably make you aware of some major Arsenal transfer news that has broken in the last hour or so.
Multiple outlets are reporting that Arsenal have seen a shock bid for England’s Ollie Watkins rejected by Aston Villa as they hunt a major striker signing before Monday night’s deadline.
The Gunners are rumoured to have bid £60million for the 29-year-old, with Villa said to be unhappy with the timing of the approach before they face Celtic in a crunch Champions League clash tonight.
Jhon Duran could yet leave Villa for Saudi Arabia in this window amid talks with Al-Nassr, while they want to loan Joao Felix from Chelsea.
Things are heating up it would appear, with Arsenal also among the top Premier League suitors linked with Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel today.
Girona vs Arsenal prediction
Wednesday 29 January 2025 17:49 , George FloodArsenal have not been at their best in recent weeks and this could be another close-fought clash.
Girona's exit from Europe has already been decided, but their performances have arguably warranted more than just three points from seven games.
The Gunners need a point to absolutely secure a top-eight finish, and should get at least that.
In truth, they would probably also go through automatically even if they lost.
Arsenal to win, 2-0.
Girona team news
Wednesday 29 January 2025 17:47Girona are without five key players as they look to close a disappointing maiden Champions League stint with only a second win and first since they saw off Slovakian side Slovan Bratislava 2-0 in Spain back in October.
Tottenham loanee Bryan Gil is suspended after picking up his third yellow card of the league phase in the 1-0 defeat at AC Milan last week, while ex-Spurs goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga and former Manchester United defender Daley Blind are both injured.
Czech centre-back Ladislav Krejci and fellow defender Miguel Gutierrez are also out, with manager Michel facing a bit of a selection headache at left-back.
Arsenal team news
Wednesday 29 January 2025 17:40 , George FloodArsenal have received a significant boost with midfielders Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino both back in training after missing Saturday’s eventful 1-0 Premier League win at Wolves through illness and injury respectively.
The game comes too soon for Ben White, with fellow long-term absentees Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu all still sidelined.
While Mikel Arteta is still expected to name a strong team tonight despite Arsenal already all but guaranteed of a direct spot in the last 16, a few could be rested as the likes of Neto, Jakub Kiwior, Riccardo Calafiori, Kieran Tierney, Jorginho and Raheem Sterling all eye starts.
How to watch Girona vs Arsenal
Wednesday 29 January 2025 17:36TV channel: Tonight’s game will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 4, with coverage beginning at 7:30pm GMT.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers will also be able to watch on a live stream online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Girona vs Arsenal live
Wednesday 29 January 2025 17:32 , George FloodArsenal are in Catalonia tonight to take on Girona in their final match of the Champions League league phase.
The Gunners are all but guaranteed automatic progress through to the last 16 already, but Mikel Arteta is still expected to name a strong side this evening as they look to reap the financial rewards and also build some key momentum ahead of huge clashes to come against Manchester City and Newcastle.
Kick-off tonight is at 8pm GMT, with build-up, permutations, team news and live updates to come, plus expert analysis from Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Estadi Montilivi.
