(4-2-3-1) Arsenal starting XI against Monaco revealed as Mikel Arteta replaced Kai Havertz and Martinelli with academy players in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Tierney starts as Thomas Partey returns to normal position
Arsenal face Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday night
Gunners are in a strong position in league phase table
Monaco level on points with upcoming opponents and in top eight
Arsenal and Monaco meet in the Arsene Wenger derby for just the third time in Champions League history on Wednesday night.
The first competitive duels between these two clubs saw Wenger’s Gunners succumb to an unfavoured Monaco side after losing the first leg of their round of 16 tie 3-1 at home in 2015. That exit prolonged Arsenal’s drought in the knockout rounds of the competition and it wasn’t until last year that the Gunners finally got over the hump and progressed into the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2010.
Wednesday’s bout perhaps isn’t as significant as their previous meetings, but both teams can make a big leap towards the round of 16 by claiming victory. The pair are level on points through five games, with Arsenal in seventh and Monaco eighth in the league phase table.
Arsenal saw their momentum stall on Sunday as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Fulham, while 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’s 90min’s preview of Arsenal vs Monaco in the Champions League.
What time does Arsenal vs Monaco kick-off?
Location: London, England
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Date: Wednesday 11 December
Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
Referee: Davide Massa (ITA)
VAR: Daniele Chiffi (ITA)
Arsenal vs Monaco H2H Results (All Games)
Arsenal: 1 win
Monaco: 1 win
Draws: 0
Last meeting: Monaco 0-2 Arsenal (17 March 2015) – Champions League
Arsenal’s defensive injury woes worsened at the weekend with Oleksandr Zinchenko missing out against Fulham on Sunday having started the 2-0 triumph over Manchester United last week.
Supporters will desperately want 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 utilised at left-back against Fulham.
There’s bound to be some rotation further up the pitch. Mikel Merino, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus are all in contention to start.
Arsenal lineup vs Monaco (4-3-3): Raya; Partey, Saliba, Kiwior, Timber; Rice, Merino, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
Former Premier League defenders Mohammed Salisu and Thilo Kehrer are likely to be thrust into Monaco’s backline as a result of multiple suspensions. Wilfried Singo was sent off against Benfica on Matchday 5, igniting the French side’s collapse, while Christian Mawissa will miss out on Wednesday due to yellow card accumulation.
Folarin Balogun, who left Arsenal in 2023, is one of several attacking absentees. The former Gunner won’t be returning to the Emirates in midweek due to a shoulder injury.
Krepin Diatta and Edan Diop are also sidelined.
Arsenal vs Monaco score prediction
Mikel Arteta caught a glimpse of Adi Hutter’s Monaco in their infancy two summers ago, with the French outfit taking their hosts to penalties in the Emirates Cup following a 1-1 draw.
This is an impressive Monaco team emboldened by Hutter’s dynamic principles and the fearlessness of youth. They have the athletes to compete with Arsenal on Wednesday and they’re well-stocked to take advantage of a weakened Gunners backline.
The visitors will make a good fist of the contest and remain competitive throughout, but their own defensive absences could prove decisive in deciding the victor.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Monaco
