Previewing Arsenal Tula v Zenit today in the RPL

Fresh from the international break, the reigning champions of Russia travel to Tula Oblast to take on Arsenal.

Previewing Arsenal Tula v Zenit today in the RPL

Sergei Semak will be looking to bounce back from his side’s 2-1 loss to Sochi in week 10. Zenit were off to a bad start when Sardar Azmoun was retrospectively shown a red card when colliding with keeper Soslan Dzhanayev. Despite this setback, Zenit were ahead moments later when a set piece routine from Malcom allowed Dzyuba to drift to the back post and head the ball home to make it 1-0. The visitors drew level midway through the second half when Timofei Margasov’s cross into the area was punched down by Stanislav Kritciuk but only as far as Mateo Cassiera. The Colombian striker fired a shot first time with his left foot into the open net. Four minutes later the Leopards smelt blood and scored the winner. Substitute and former Zenit man Artur Yusopov played the ball across the box from the byline to Sergei Terekov who dispatched the shot through the crowded box. 

Arsenal start the game in 14th place but have produced some outstanding performances in the campaign thus far. The Gunners thrashed Dynamo Bryansk in the Russian Cup 6-1, as well as holding Moscow clubs Spartak and CSKA to a point. Before the break, Saturday’s opponents drew with struggling side Khimki 0-0. 

Montenegrin coach Miodrag Bozovic is overseeing his second spell with Arsenal, having previously managed them back in 2018 before leaving for Krylia Sovetov. Bozovic’s started his tenure last month and has had just 4 league games with his side coming into the fixture. The former defender sets the Gunners out in a 4-1-4-1 formation with Bulgarian Georgi Kostadinov playing as the holding midfielder. Yevgeni Markov plays up top and is looking to add to his 2 goals this season, having signed from Krasnodar over the summer.

The teams last clashed back in November 2020, where Arsenal held Zenit to a 0-0 draw and Semak is aware of the threat they pose. Speaking to the press the boss said “They are a good, experienced team, with some promising young players.”

“A very difficult match is ahead of us, Arsenal are never easy for us, either home or away, so it’s going to be another difficult league game for us.” Semak also reported Karavaev is in contention for a return to the starting lineup after recovering from injury. Claudinho is a doubt and Ozdoev is still on the injury list. Azmoun misses out through suspension and Wilmar Barrios’ participation is still up in the air with the Colombian still not having returned from international duty with Colombia.