The Eden Arena in Prague is set for a massive European night. Slavia Praha host Arsenal in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals on 14 May 2026. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are chasing their first major European trophy since 1994. Slavia Praha, the Czech champions, have already knocked out Roma and Real Betis to reach this stage. With both teams in strong domestic form, this tie promises goals, drama, and high-intensity football. Here is everything you need to know about Slavia Praha vs Arsenal, including team news, predicted lineups, and how to watch live. Unlike the gentle pace of The Great Escaper, this match will be 90 minutes of non-stop action.
Match Details: Slavia Praha vs Arsenal
Competition: UEFA Europa League – Quarter-Final First Leg
Date: Thursday, 14 May 2026
Kick-off: 17:45 BST (18:45 local time)
Venue: Eden Arena (Fortuna Arena), Prague
Capacity: 19,370
Referee: Daniel Siebert (Germany)
The second leg takes place on 21 May 2026 at the Emirates Stadium in London. The winner over two legs faces either AC Milan or Bayer Leverkusen in the semi-finals.
How to Watch Slavia Praha vs Arsenal Live
United Kingdom: The game is live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+. Coverage begins at 17:15 BST.
USA: CBS Sports Network and Paramount+ (English) and ViX (Spanish).
Czech Republic: Czech Television (ČT2) and Sport1.
Australia: Stan Sport.
Canada: DAZN.
India: Sony LIV and Sony Sports Network.
Africa: SuperSport and New World TV.
If you need an affordable device to stream all the European action, check Back Market UK for refurbished phones and tablets to catch every goal.
Team News and Injuries
Slavia Praha:
Slavia have a nearly full squad available for this crucial tie. Here is the latest:
- Mojmír Chytil: The Czech international striker is fully fit. He has 12 goals in the Europa League this season, making him the competition’s top scorer.
- Oscar Dorley: The Liberian midfielder is available despite a minor knock. He is Slavia’s creative engine.
- David Zima: The centre-back returned to training last week after a hamstring issue. Expected to start alongside Igoh Ogbu.
- Lukáš Masopust: Out with a long-term knee injury. Not expected back this season.
- Ondřej Lingr: Suspended for the first leg after yellow card accumulation in the round of 16.
Arsenal:
Mikel Arteta has several injury concerns heading to Prague:
- Bukayo Saka: The England winger returned to light training but is doubtful for the first leg. A late fitness test will determine his availability.
- Gabriel Jesus: Out with a calf strain. Expected to miss both legs against Slavia. Eddie Nketiah will lead the line.
- Thomas Partey: Fully fit and expected to start in midfield after recovering from a groin issue.
- Jurriën Timber: Long-term knee injury. Out for the remainder of the season.
- Kai Havertz: Available. Has scored 9 goals in his last 12 Arsenal appearances.
Unlike Manchester City’s packed schedule, Arsenal have had a full week to prepare for this Prague trip after their Premier League game was moved to Sunday.
Predicted Lineups
Slavia Praha (4-2-3-1):
Kinská; Masopust (if fit), Ogbu, Zima, Bořil; Dorley, Ševčík; Provod, Schranz, Van Buren; Chytil.
Arsenal (4-3-3):
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Partey, Ødegaard; Saka (if fit)/Nelson, Nketiah, Martinelli.
Head-to-Head Record: Slavia Praha vs Arsenal
This is the third competitive meeting between Slavia Praha and Arsenal. Their previous meetings were in the 2007/08 Champions League group stage, where Arsenal won 7-0 at the Emirates and 0-0 in Prague.
More recently, Arsenal faced Slavia in the 2020/21 Europa League quarter-finals. Arsenal won the first leg 1-1 in Prague (Nicolas Pépé scored) and the second leg 4-0 at the Emirates. Arsenal advanced 5-1 on aggregate.
Slavia have never beaten an English side at home in European competition. Their record against Premier League teams is W1 D3 L5 overall.
Just as Storm Floris caused chaos across Scotland, Slavia will try to cause chaos for Arsenal’s defence in Prague.
Form Guide: How Both Teams Reached the Quarter-Finals
Slavia Praha’s Road to the Quarter-Finals:
Group Stage: Topped Group H (W5 D1 L0)
Round of 16: Beat Roma 3-2 on aggregate (1-1 home, 2-1 away)
Key Stat: Slavia are unbeaten at home in European competition this season (W4 D1).
Arsenal’s Road to the Quarter-Finals:
Group Stage: Topped Group B (W6 D0 L0)
Round of 16: Beat Real Betis 5-1 on aggregate (2-0 home, 3-1 away)
Key Stat: Arsenal have scored 26 goals in 8 Europa League games this season – an average of 3.25 per game.
Key Battles to Watch
Bukayo Saka vs David Zima:
If Saka plays, he will test Slavia’s Czech international centre-back. Saka has 8 goals and 11 assists in all competitions this season. Zima is strong in the air but can be beaten for pace. This battle could decide the game.
Mojmír Chytil vs William Saliba:
Chytil has 19 goals in 28 starts for Slavia this season. He is strong, clinical, and excellent in the air. William Saliba, Arsenal’s Player of the Season, will need to be at his best to keep the Czech striker quiet.
Oscar Dorley vs Declan Rice:
Dorley is Slavia’s midfield metronome. He controls the tempo and picks out key passes. Declan Rice will be tasked with disrupting him and winning the physical battle in the middle of the park.
Tactical Preview: How Arteta Will Set Up
Mikel Arteta has transformed Arsenal into a possession-dominant, high-pressing machine. In European away games this season, Arsenal average 62% possession and 15 shots per game.
Expect Arsenal to control the ball from the first whistle. Slavia will sit deep and look to counter-attack through the pace of Van Buren and Provod. Arteta’s biggest concern will be set pieces – Slavia have scored 7 goals from corners in the Europa League this season.
If Saka is unavailable, Reiss Nelson or Leandro Trossard will start on the right. Arsenal may also use Kai Havertz as a false nine, with Nketiah coming off the bench.
Just as Omaze UK winners need luck to win, Arsenal will need some luck in Prague – Slavia are a dangerous opponent on their home turf.
Score Prediction: Slavia Praha vs Arsenal
The Eden Arena will be loud. Slavia’s fans are famous for their purple-smoke displays and non-stop chanting. Arsenal must survive the first 20 minutes without conceding.
Arsenal have more quality in every position. But European away games are never straightforward. Slavia’s 1-1 draw with Roma in the round of 16 shows they can frustrate bigger teams. However, Arsenal’s firepower – even without Jesus – should be enough to score at least once.
Prediction: Slavia Praha 1 – 2 Arsenal
Goal Scorers: Chytil (41′) for Slavia; Ødegaard (28′), Nketiah (67′) for Arsenal.
What Happened in the Europa League This Season?
The 2025/26 Europa League has been full of surprises. Liverpool dropped down from the Champions League and are favourites. AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, and Sporting CP remain in the competition. Slavia knocked out Roma in the previous round – a massive upset.
Arsenal are chasing their first European trophy since the 1994 Cup Winners’ Cup. Arteta has never won a European competition as a manager. This could be his year.
The final takes place at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium in Seville, Spain, on 27 May 2026. Sevilla, the most successful club in Europa League history (7 titles), will not be in the final – they were knocked out by Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16.
Ticket Information: Eden Arena Sold Out
The Eden Arena has a capacity of 19,370. Every single seat has been sold for Slavia Praha vs Arsenal. Slavia allocated 1,800 tickets to Arsenal fans, which sold out within hours. Prague is expecting over 5,000 Arsenal fans without tickets to travel for the atmosphere.
Local police have warned Arsenal fans to be careful. “This is a high-risk fixture,” a Prague police spokesperson said. “Fans should avoid unlicensed bars and stick to designated fan zones.”
Arsenal fans without tickets are urged to watch in the official fan zone at the Letná Park, where a big screen will show the match.
Arsenal’s Europa League History
Arsenal have a mixed record in the Europa League (formerly the UEFA Cup):
- Runner-up: 2000 (lost to Galatasaray on penalties)
- Semi-finals: 2019 (lost to Valencia), 2022 (lost to Sporting CP)
- Quarter-finals: 2018, 2021, 2024
- Knocked out by Slavia: Never – Arsenal have beaten Slavia twice in European competition
Arsenal have never won the Europa League. This is their best chance since 2019.
Just as London City Airport offers quick connections to Europe, Arsenal hope this quick trip to Prague will keep them on course for the Seville final.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What time does Slavia Praha vs Arsenal kick off? Kick-off is at 17:45 BST on Thursday, 14 May 2026.
Is Slavia Praha vs Arsenal on TV? Yes. In the UK, it is live on TNT Sports 1. the USA, it is on Paramount+. In the Czech Republic, it is on ČT2.
Who is the referee for Slavia Praha vs Arsenal? German referee Daniel Siebert will officiate the first leg at the Eden Arena.
Is Bukayo Saka playing against Slavia Praha? Saka is a doubt after a minor injury. He will have a late fitness test. If he does not play, Reiss Nelson or Leandro Trossard will start.
When is the second leg? The second leg is on Thursday, 21 May 2026 at the Emirates Stadium, London. Kick-off is at 20:00 BST.
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