Arsenal vs Monaco – Match preview and team news

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·11 dicembre 2024

Arsenal vs Monaco – Match preview and team news

Arsenal welcome AS Monaco to North London in the UEFA Champions League tonight.

The two teams are level on points in Europe this campaign having both picked up 10 points from five outings. The Gunners and their Ligue 1 opponents can climb into the top eight with a win this evening.

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Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber were all absent from Arsenal’s open training on Tuesday afternoon.

Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko were also missing which could see Mikel Arteta hand Kieran Tierney his first appearance for Arsenal in 18 months.

Raising the levels. Monaco (H) 🔜
– mercoledì 11 dicembre 2024

Defender Wilfried Singo is suspended for Monaco after being sent off against Benfica in their last match. Meanwhile, former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun will be assessed to determine his fitness.

Arsenal vs Monaco – Match preview and team news

Form

Arsenal: WWWWD

The Gunners saw their four-game winning run halted at the weekend against Fulham.

Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage, after VAR disallowed a late Gunners goal. With the scores level entering the closing stages, Bukayo Saka finished past former teammate Bernd Leno to seemingly earn another three points.

But following a check, Gabriel Martinelli was adjudged to have strayed offside in the build-up to the goal and the game ended all square.

Mikel Arteta’s side were ruthless last time out in Europe as they thrashed Sporting CP 5-1 in Portugal. Another victory in North London will put Arsenal in a favourable position to qualify.

Monaco: WWLLW

Monaco have been one of the surprise packages in the Champions League this season and currently reside just outside the top eight.

They commenced their European campaign in style with a 2-1 win over Barcelona at the Stade Louis II stadium.

A draw away to Dinamo Zagreb preceded wins over Red Star Belgrade and Bologna before losing to Benfica a fortnight ago.

Memories of an unforgettable night against @Arsenal ✨🔙 Another one coming soon? 😏 https://t.co/vSKXo2r3kG
– martedì 10 dicembre 2024

Tonight’s encounter with Arsenal is arguably their most challenging game yet and a positive result will put the odds in Adi Hütter’s side’s favour.

They enter the game off the back of a triumph at the weekend as they comfortably dispatched Toulouse.

Last Meeting: Monaco 0-2 Arsenal, Champions League, 17th March 2015

Despite a resolute second-leg performance, the Gunners were dumped out of the Champions League by Monaco on the away goals rule.

The Ligue 1 outfit prevailed in the first leg as they built a 3-1 lead at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal had a mountain to climb in the second leg but struck in the first period after bombarding Monaco’s goal. After several chances, Olivier Giroud blasted a shot into the roof of the goal on the rebound after Danijel Subasic had denied him.

Aaron Ramsey found an aggregate equaliser with ten minutes remaining as his low effort found the bottom corner. However, a third and crucial goal proved elusive for Arsene Wenger’s team, who exited the competition at the Round of 16 stage.

Predicted Lineups

Arsenal: Raya; Nichols, Saliba, Kiwior, Tierney; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.

Monaco: Majecki, Vanderson, Salisu, Kehrer, Henrique; Golovin, Camara; Akliouche, Minamino, Ben Seghir, Embolo.

Who is the referee?

Italian referee Davide Massa will be the match official. He will be assisted by Filippo Meli and Stefano Alassio while Daniele Doveri will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Daniele Chiffi and he will be assisted by Aleandro Di Paolo.