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UEFA Champions League - Arsenal VS Monaco Prediciton
UEFA Champions League - Arsenal VS Monaco
Match Time:12-12-2024 04:00 Thursday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Arsenal
Mikel Arteta will assess the fitness of some of his key players ahead of the clash with AS Monaco, as there could be further alterations to his backline. At the weekend, the Gunners boss fielded his ninth different defensive setup this season following the late injury to Oleksandr Zinchenko before the game against Fulham.
The left-back is not expected to return for this fixture, meaning Arteta may have to choose between using Jurrien Timber there once again or trusting one of Kieran Tierney or Myles Lewis-Skelly to do a job. The presence of Timber at right-back probably gives the team more balance, and that will play on the manager’s mind.
There are still doubts about Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori’s participation in this clash, as a late test might determine if they are fit enough to feature. Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are the other players missing from action and are not expected to return anytime soon.
There is the element of changing some dynamics in Arsenal’s midfield and attacking third, although Arteta will field his strongest lineup if his two key defenders are fit. This means that Thomas Partey will return to the base of the midfield, while Gabriel Martinelli will feature on the left wing, as the other players are expected to keep their spots.
AS Monaco
The loss against Benfica also came at a personnel cost for Adi Hutter, as he will miss defensive duo Wilfried Singo following his red card for two bookable offences and left-back Christian Mawissa after he was cautioned in the game. The latter did make an impact since coming on as a substitute just before Singo was sent off, and despite being a man down, he was one of the bright sparks for AS Monaco.
Caio Henrique will, therefore, keep his spot at left-back, while Mohammed Salisu is expected to replace Singo in the heart of the defence and play alongside Thilo Kehrer. Denis Zakaria and Lamine Camara are the preferred choices in central midfield for Adi Hutter.
Former Liverpool man Takumi Minamino will be operating in the attacking midfield role. Maghnes Akliouche and Eliesse Ben Seghir will operate in the wide areas, while Breel Embolo will lead the line. Key striker and former Arsenal man Florarin Balogun mises out with a shoulder injury for AS Monaco.
Arsenal vs AS Monaco Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
Arsenal and AS Monaco are on an even footing as far as the head-to-head record is concerned in the UEFA Champions League and have won one game apiece out of the two matches played between the two teams.
AS Monaco have won five of their last seven matches against teams from England in the UEFA Champions League and have recorded victories against Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur during this run.
Since the start of last season, Arsenal have won six matches at home in the UEFA Champions League - only Barcelona and Bayern Munich have a better such record during this period.
AS Monaco won their previous game away from home in the UEFA Champions League by a 1-0 margin against Bologna and will be looking to win consecutive such games in the competition for the first time since the 2014-15 season
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; Robinson, Saliba, Kiwior, Tierney; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Monaco possible starting lineup:
Majecki; Vanderson, Salisu, Kehrer, Henrique; Matazo, Camara; Akliouche, Ben Seghir, Golovin; Embolo
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Monaco
While Premier League teams know what to expect from Arsenal's open-play sequences and can effectively double up on the likes of Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, European teams do not always do the same, so the Gunners should expect some more joy on the flanks in particular. As the hosts remain as potent as ever from dead-ball situations too, they have our vote to strengthen their bid for a last-16 place against a Monaco side ruing defensive suspensions.
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