He feels ready to go. So whether we use him or not now is a matter of what the team needs.Mikel Arteta on William Saliba Arsenal.com

Arsenal arrive in the Czech capital on a high. Sunday's 1-0 win at Liverpool was their first league success at Anfield for 14 years, and it keeps Mikel Arteta's side at the top of the Premier League. In Europe they have taken seven points from the first nine on offer and sit in the league phase's top eight.

The numbers that matter most are at the back. Two goals conceded in three games makes Arsenal the joint-best defence in the competition, alongside Stuttgart and PSV Eindhoven. Their one wobble came on matchday three, when they had to fight back to draw 2-2 with Bayern Munich.

Slavia, the Czech champions, are still waiting for a first win in this season's tournament. One draw and two defeats is their return so far, and they have shipped seven goals. Their point came the hard way: from 2-0 down in Istanbul, they came back to draw 2-2 with Fenerbahçe.

This fixture has a recent history. Arsenal won 3-0 at the Fortuna Arena in last season's league phase, exactly a year ago, and Sports Mole's data model makes them favourites again tonight.

The big story is William Saliba. The France centre-back hurt his back in the World Cup semi-final and has not played a competitive minute this season, but he played 45 minutes behind closed doors last week and travelled to Prague. Arteta said: "He feels ready to go. So whether we use him or not now is a matter of what the team needs." Ezri Konsa and Gabriel have formed a strong partnership in his absence, so Arsenal need not rush him.

Further forward, Bukayo Saka is out with a quad injury and Eberechi Eze is a doubt. That could open the door for Max Dowman. The 16-year-old is banned for three domestic games after his red card at Fleetwood but is free to play in Europe. "That is a chapter that has gone," Arteta said.

Slavia are without the 6ft 7in striker Tomas Chory. Manager Jindřich Trpišovský banished him after he showed a referee the middle finger in a league game against Hradec Králové. Lukáš Provod, their star attacker, is a doubt.

Arteta expects a fight. "Tough," he said. "A really good team. Really competitive team, great mindset."

Compiled from Sports Mole, BBC Sport, Arsenal.com, Arsenal.com, Sports Mole team news.