UEFA Europa League Preview: Dundalk -v- Arsenal

DUNDALK

Dundalk return to the Aviva Stadium for the second time in five days, to play their final game of their 2020 campaign, as they face English giants Arsenal (kick-off 5.55pm). 

The Lilywhites finished their domestic season on a high in that national stadium on Sunday by lifting the FAI Cup with victory over Shamrock Rovers.

Dundalk will hope to take some of that momentum into a game that will likely be their toughest test of the season.  

First-team manager Shane Keegan spoke tongue in cheek about the task ahead and acknowledged Arsenal, a ‘super club,’ have been head and shoulders above the others in the group: 

“A nice handy one to finish off against Arsenal,” said Keegan.

“But the lads are running on momentum at the moment. Let’s be honest, this would have been a long and horrible week had we lost on Sunday.  

“They [Arsenal] have blown everyone out of the water like they have been expected I suppose. From our point of view, we haven’t fared any worse against them than the other teams have.”

Arsenal are already qualified and Dundalk cannot progress, but Keegan was adamant that the Irish side were not taking their assignment lightly: 

“As big as the task is against Arsenal to alter that, until it’s impossible, it’s possible. They have their business done. Will they take their eye off the ball? You just don’t know.” 

As Dundalk’s topsy, turvy season comes to an end, in an empty stadium in a European competition. There is lots of cause to remember this season for the right reasons.

They are cup winners and managed group stage qualification for the second time in the club’s history.

Keegan hinted there was no pressure on his side now and that it was a chance to end on a real positive note:  “It is sort of a free shot but it’s a free shot that we want to give our best effort to.” 

ARSENAL

The Gunners have lost five of their last seven league outings but their European form has been something else. 

Arsenal have already comfortably qualified for the last 32 of the Europa League by winning all five games in Group B to date. 

While Dundalk will be hoping there may be a complacency now that their mission is accomplished, another win will make them one of ten teams to complete a group whitewash.  

Manager Mikel Arteta hinted that young players like Joe Willock, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson may feature along with fringe senior players.

“They are putting the pressure on,” he said.

“We have some really good examples of things that have happened in the last few months and not only players that are starting football matches in different competitions.” 

Arteta congratulated Dundalk on their cup win and spoke highly of their encounter in London: 

“I saw a really brave team when they came to the Emirates and I think they will play with no fear in a beautiful stadium and they will make things difficult for us.” 

MATCH STATS

This is the first time Arsenal have played a European fixture on Irish soil. 

This is Dundalk’s first home European match against English opposition since since they lost 1-4 against Liverpool in the first leg of the 1982/82 European Cup first round (1-5 on aggregate).

The previous season, they had drawn 1-1 at home to Tottenham Hotspur in the European Cup Winners' Cup second round first leg, before losing the return 1-0 in north London. 

This is Dundalk’s second time qualifying for the Europa League group stage in five years, while it is Arsenal’s 25th consecutive year in a major European competitions, typically in Champions League.

But on the four occasions they have appeared in the Europa League, they have topped their group every time. 

PREDICTION

Dundalk 1 – 4 Arsenal  

Dundalk

Injured: Dane Massey, Patrick Hoban, Sean Murray. 

Doubtful: Stefan Colovic. 

Suspended: Filippo Giovagnoli (touchline ban). 

Arsenal

Injured: Gabriel Martinelli, Thomas Partey 

Doubtful: None. 

Suspended: Sokratis.