Arsenal and Monaco face off in the Arsene Wenger derby for the third time in Champions League history on Wednesday night.
The first competitive meetings between these two clubs saw Wenger’s Gunners succumb to an underdog Monaco after losing the first leg of their round of 16 tie 3-1 at home in 2015. This exit extended the drought of the Arsenal in the knockout rounds of the competition. It wasn’t until last year that the Gunners finally got over the hump and progressed towards the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2010.
Wednesday’s clash may not be as significant as their previous encounters, but both teams can take a big leap towards the Round of 16 with a win. The pair are level on points from five games, with Arsenal seventh and Monaco eighth in the league stage standings.
Arsenal saw their momentum stall on Sunday as they were held up 1-1 draw at Fulhamwhile Monaco returned to winning ways in Ligue 1 by beating Toulouse. Both teams sit third in their respective domestic leagues heading into Wednesday’s game.
here it is 90 minutes Arsenal vs Monaco Champions League preview.
Head-to-head results Arsenal vs Monaco (all matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
arsenal |
Monaco |
|---|---|
|
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal – 08/12/24 |
Monaco 2-0 Toulouse – 07/12/24 |
|
Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd – 04/12/24 |
Marseille 2-1 Monaco – 01/12/24 |
|
West Ham 2-5 Arsenal – 30/11/24 |
Monaco 2-3 Benfica – 27/11/24 |
|
Sporting CP 1-5 Arsenal – 26/11/24 |
Monaco 3-2 Brest – 22/11/24 |
|
Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest – 23/11/24 |
Strasbourg 1-3 Monaco – 24/11/09 |
|
country |
TV channel/live broadcast |
|---|---|
|
united kingdom |
Discovery+, Discovery+ App, TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate |
|
united states |
Paramount+ |
|
canada |
DAZN Canada |
Arsenal’s defensive injury problems worsened at the weekend with Oleksandr Zinchenko missing Sunday’s game against Fulham after starting the game. 2-0 win at Manchester United last week.
Supporters will be desperate for both Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori to return to the fold as soon as possible, but the quick turnaround could see the pair miss out again on Wednesday.
Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain out for the hosts, with Jurrien Timber used at left-back against Fulham.
There will certainly be some rotation further up the pitch. Mikel Merino, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus are all in contention to start.
Arsenal predicted line-up against Monaco (4-3-3): Stripe; Partey, Saliba, Kiwior, Timber; Rice, Merino, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
ancient Premier League Defenders Mohammed Salisu and Thilo Kehrer are likely to find themselves in Monaco’s backline as a result of multiple suspensions. Wilfried Singo was sent off against Benfica on Matchday 5, sparking the French side’s collapse, while Christian Mawissa will miss Wednesday due to yellow card accumulation.
Folarin Balogun, who left Arsenal in 2023, is one of several strikers absent. The former Gunner will not return to the Emirates in midweek due to a shoulder injury.
Krepin Diatta and Edan Diop are also sidelined.
Monaco predicted line-up against Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Majecki; Vanderson, Salisu, Kehrer, Henry; Zakaria, Camara; Akliouche, Ben Seghir, Golovin; piston
Mikel Arteta saw Adi Hutter’s Monaco in his infancy two summers ago, with the French side taking their hosts to penalties in the Emirates Cup after a 1-1 draw.
This is an impressive Monaco team buoyed by Hutter’s dynamic principles and the fearlessness of youth. They have the athletes to compete arsenal on Wednesday and are well equipped to take advantage of a weakened Gunners backline.
The visitors will have a good run of the game and will remain competitive throughout, but their own defensive absences could be decisive in deciding the winner.
