Crvena Zvezda vs Arsenal live: Where can I watch it, what channel, what time is kick off, team news, odds, preview
Everything you need to know ahead of the Gunners' Europa League tie in Serbia
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Your support makes all the difference.With the Champions League fixtures completed for the week, it is now the turn of the Europa League to take centre stage as Arsenal travel to Serbia to face Crvena Zvezda – aka Red Star Belgrade.
The majority of Arsenal’s first-team stars have been left in London as the Gunners look to make it three wins from three in Group H and take a huge step towards qualification for the next round.
With the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Monaco and Atletico Madrid all in danger of dropping into the Europa League from the Champions League after no wins so far, it has become more important than ever to finish top and avoid those big names.
Follow all the live action below...
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What time does it start?
The game kicks off at 6pm (BST) at the Rajko Mitic Stadium in Serbia on Thursday 19 October.
Where can I watch it?
The game will be shown live on BT Sport 2, with coverage starting at 5.30pm. Alternatively you can return to this page for updates from The Independent’s live blog.
It’s a big game for…
Arsene Wenger. The Gunners manager is under fresh pressure after defeat to Watford on the weekend after Arsenal’s mini revival following a poor start to the season and he needs his players to start building confidence again. Although very few – if any – first-team regulars will be playing in Belgrade, a good performance is needed to lift the squad ahead of a big game against Everton this weekend.
One to watch…
Jack Wilshere. The Arsenal midfielder is yet to make a Premier League appearance yet this season having only played in the Europa League and EFL Cup since his return from Bournemouth on loan. He was defending the players’ character after Troy Deeney’s comments that the Gunners lacked “cajones” but now he must go out and prove his words with a big performance in the tough Serbian conditions and he will be chomping at the bit to do so.
Form…
Crvena Zvezda: WWLWDW
Arsenal: DWWWWL
Odds...
Crvena Zvezda: 37/10
Arsenal: 10/11
Draw: 57/20
5' - Space opens up in the final third for Wilshere and he finds Walcott in the penalty area. The England forward takes too many touches though and is dispossessed before he can get a shot away.
8' - Walcott spins in behind his marker and is looked for by Elneny. However, the Egyptian's through pass has too much on it and the ball goes behind for a goal-kick.
10' - Wilshere wins the ball back in a threatening position for Arsenal and the Gunners break in numbers. Walcott is in bags of space down the right but Wilshere looks for Giroud on the left instead and the big Frenchman miscontrols the pass. Decent chance, that.
14' - Giroud is felled 30 yards from goal by Red Star captain Donald and Wilshere takes the resultant free-kick. The ball eventually falls to Walcott just outside the six-yard box but his left-footed effort is well saved by Borjan in the the home team's goal.
16' - Red Star's Krsticic takes aim from distance but his left-footed effort goes well wide of Cech's far post.
20' - Wilshere wins a free-kick midway inside the Red Star half as he's fouled by Krsticic. The Arsenal midfielder dusts himself off to take it but his delivery is a poor one and the home team clear their lines.
25' - Red Star look like they're about to get in on goal but Arsenal full-back Nelson gets back just in time to make a crucial challenge on the onrushing Radonjic.
26' - Off the woodwork! Red Star almost take the lead through Boakye but his header from Radonjic's corner comes back off the crossbar!
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