Ludogorets vs. Arsenal: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info for UCL Match

Arsenal will look to continue their impressive unbeaten run when they travel to Bulgaria, where Ludogorets Razgrad will play host to the Gunners in the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

The Gunners crushed Ludogorets 6-0 in the two teams' previous meeting, and they're expected to pick up another three easy points here. Razgrad have recovered from the setback well, however, scoring nine goals in two wins in domestic competition since, and their home-field advantage could play a big role in this match.

Here's everything you need to know about Tuesday's clash.

Date: Tuesday, November 1

Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT/3:45 p.m. ET

Venue: Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia

TV Info: BT Sport 3 (UK), Fox Sports 2 (U.S.)

Live Stream: BT Sport app, Fox Soccer 2Go

Team News

Arsenal received a boost with the return of Aaron Ramsey in their 4-1 win over Sunderland on Saturday. Manager Arsene Wenger told reporters on Friday the in-form Theo Walcott is dealing with a hamstring injury, per the Champions League's official Twitter account:

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Walcott's injury isn't regarded as serious, but with a derby against Tottenham Hotspur on the horizon and the 6-0 demolition of Ludogorets fresh on the manager's mind, Wenger is expected to make a lot of changes to his starting XI.

The Bulgarian champions have used the same starting XI in their last few Champions League matches and rested several key players in Friday's 5-3 win over Dunav Ruse. They're not expected to make any changes.

Predicted Ludogorets XI: Vladislav Stoyanov, Yordan Minev, Cosmin Moti, Jose Luis Palomino, Natanael Pimienta, Svetoslav Dyakov, Anicet, Virgil Misidjan, Marcelinho, Wanderson, Jonathan Cafu.

Predicted Arsenal XI: David Ospina, Carl Jenkinson, Shkodran Mustafi, Laurent Koscielny, Kieran Gibbs, Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka, Mesut Ozil, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alex Iwobi, Olivier Giroud.

Preview

Arsenal are unbeaten since their loss against Liverpool on the Premier League's opening weekend and enter Tuesday's clash with a ton of confidence following a one-sided win over Sunderland.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Wenger's troops are playing some fantastic football, and the bench has held up its end of the bargain. Depth has often been an issue for Arsenal in the past, but the Gunners' fringe players have stood out in recent weeks.

Giroud isn't normally a one of those, but he only featured twice in October following an injury and had to watch as Alexis Sanchez put together a fantastic run at centre-forward. The Frenchman's brace against Sunderland suggests he's ready to return to the starting XI, however, and Wenger was impressed with his mentality, per the club's official website:

"

Olivier is a guy who is mentally absolutely fantastic. He’s strong and every time he’s questioned, he gives you the right answer on the pitch. I admire that in him. He’s a guy who has gone through some different questions. Even before the European Championship in France, he was questioned by the crowd and in the end everybody was on his side.

"

Opponents such as Ludogorets, who are expected to crowd the box and limit space, present the perfect opportunity for Giroud to get the start. The big-bodied striker can weigh on defences and be a force in the air, making him the ideal target for the likes of Jenkinson and Gibbs.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Both full-backs have featured in recent weeks, with the former allowing Hector Bellerin to rest for the EFL Cup win over Reading. Under normal circumstances, Bellerin would always start a Champions League match, but Sunday's north London derby against an unbeaten Tottenham squad means Jenkinson should get another chance.

As shared by ESPN FC's Mattias Karen, Wenger sounded happy to have the fan favourite back:

Arsenal aren't expected to score six goals against Ludogorets once more―the Bulgarians have a solid home reputation, and more than one player will already be looking forward to Spurs. But barring a serious meltdown, the Gunners should be able to secure a win in the Bulgarian capital.