There wasn’t too much wrong with Arsenal’s performance against Fulham on Sunday, but they go into their next clash against Monaco with their momentum stalled.
The Gunners asserted full control at Craven Cottage but struggled to work their old shot between the posts. theirs dependence on set pieces it’s starting to worry a few, but they’ve shown in recent weeks that it does can overwhelm opponents using open game magic.
Victory on Wednesday gives Mikel Arteta’s side a great chance of securing a place in the top eight and automatic progression in the standings. Champions League round of 16, so don’t expect wholesale rotation from eleven o’clock on Sunday despite the quick turnaround.
Here’s how Arsenal could line up against Monaco on Wednesday.
GK: David Raya – The arsenal The goalkeeper has conceded just twice in this competition in five games, with two of his three goals coming at the Emirates.
RB: Thomas Partey – The fans won’t be happy about this, but if Arsenal are still without Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori in defence, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Partey start at right-back again.
CB: William Saliba – The French defender faces familiar opposition on Wednesday after scoring in back-to-back games from set pieces.
CB: Jakub Kiwior – Kiwior was to blame Fulham’s opener on Sunday having impressed against Manchester United in Gabriel’s absence last Wednesday. If the Brazilian is not fit, the Pole should get another step up.
LB: Jurrien Timber – Timber has been outstanding this season, but his limitations as a left back are starting to show. Arteta loves the security he provides, and will likely be preferred over Myles Lewis-Skelly if Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko miss out.
CM: Declan Rice – Rice continues to prove a force at set pieces, with his delivery leading to Saliba’s equalizer at Craven Cottage. It was time for Arteta to make a run at the base of the midfield.
CM: Mikel Merino – With some rotation expected for Wednesday, Merino is a strong candidate to return to the team after making substitute appearances in back-to-back games.
CM: Martin Odegaard – The skipper seemed upset by the knocks he took on his ankle on Sunday and it will be interesting to see how cautious Arteta is. Odegaard was unable to complete the contest at Craven Cottage, but there was little talk of a potential injury after the game.
RW: Bukayo Saka – Raheem Sterling has yet to earn Arteta’s trust, so Saka will continue to play and play…and play. There is little room for respite.
ST: Gabriel Jesus – Arteta loves Kai Havertz, but the German was poor on Sunday and could drop out of the squad in favor of Gabriel Jesus, who has been used sporadically this season.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli – The narratives around the Gunners would have been much brighter on Monday morning had Martinelli opted to veer offside in the build-up to Saka’s ruled-out winner in west London. Neither Martinelli nor Leandro Trossard have set the world alight this term, but the former is the most likely to start in midweek.
