Follow LIVE coverage of Arsenal vs Ludogorets

Arsenal welcome Ludogorets to the Emirates Stadium for their third Champions League group A game on Wednesday (19 October).

Where to watch live

Kick-off is set for 7.45pm BST. Live coverage of the game will be on BT Sport Europe.

Overview

Arsenal welcome Bulgarian side Ludogorets as they look to take one more step towards the knockout phase of the competition. The Gunners are currently leading group A, level on points with second placed Paris Saint-Germain, and will be keen to top the group in the hope of a favourable draw in the last 16.

The north London club will be favourites going into the game against Ludogorets, but Arsene Wenger has warned his team against complacency against the Bulgarian side, who have plenty of experience in the Champions League. Arsenal have no fresh injury worries ahead of the game, but some of the fringe players could get a run out in the starting XI owing to their game in the Premier League on Saturday.

Lucas Perez
Lucas Perez will be pushing for a start when Arsenal take on Ludogorets on Wednesday night (19 October) Getty

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gabriel Paulista and Lucas Perez could come into the lineup if Wenger feels the need to rest some of the regulars. Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey are still short of match fitness and will be unavailable for at least another week.

Ludogorets have played in England before, and almost came close to snatching a point against Liverpool in 2014, but for a last minute penalty from Steven Gerrard. The Bulgarian side will have nothing to lose when they face the Gunners due to their underdog tag and manager Georgi Dermendzhiev has made it clear that they are not afraid of teams like Arsenal, despite their superior quality and experience in the competition.

What managers say

Arsene Wenger: "We need to keep stability and always focus on the next game. For now I am just looking at how players recover and how we can win the next game. The squad is not 11 – we have 25 players and everyone will contribute over the course of the season. The team are focused and they believe in what we do. These are good ingredients but we have to show desire and hunger in every single game."

Georgi Dermendzhiev: "Arsenal are favourites, maybe even for the group. But you know, our team already has enough experience. We are not worried, and not afraid of these teams. I respect Arsène Wenger; his name has been connected with Arsenal for 20 years and he has achieved everything with them. For 20 years, they are always in top four in England, they always play in the Champions League. They are a very good team, and this year they are even better than previous ones."

Betting odds (Betfair)

  • Arsenal win: 1/8
  • Draw: 15/2
  • Ludogorets win: 25

Team news

Arsenal

Possible XI: Ospina; Bellerín, Mustafi, Gabriel, Gibbs; Xhaka, Cazorla; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Özil, Iwobi; Alexis Sánchez.

Ludogorets

Possible XI: Stoyanov; Minev, Moți, Palomino, Natanael; Dyakov, Anicet; Misidjan, Marcelinho, Wanderson, Cafú.

Champions League Arsene Wenger