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December 9 2024, 08:49 · Alex Lawes
Updated: December 9 2024, 11:32

Arsenal vs Monaco Preview: Team News & Prediction

Arsenal vs Monaco Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Arsenal appeared to have clicked into gear after the November international break but there is a slight frustration for the Gunners as they welcome Monaco to the Emirates Stadium this week.

Kick-off date/time: Wednesday 11th December, 2024: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm

How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – Discovery+ / US – Paramount+

Arsenal Preview: Gunning for more

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal come into this one on the back of a frustrating 1-1 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage at the weekend in a game in which the Gunners goal came from another set-piece and there has been a lot of focus on their over-reliance on set-pieces at the moment.

However, as mentioned, prior to that draw, they had enjoyed an impressive post-international break run of form with a 3-0 hammering of Nottingham Forest being followed by annihilations of West Ham United and Sporting CP before a 2-0 win over Manchester United, too. 

Monaco Preview: Dip for the Monegasque 

Former Borussia Monchengladbach boss Adi Hutter has implemented an intense and entertaining style of football down in the principality of Monaco but the Monegasque have been a little consistent as autumn and winter has hit after a very bright start to the campaign.

They do come into this one on the back of a comfortable and impressive 2-0 defeat of Toulouse at Stade Louis II at the weekend thanks to second-half strikes from Wilfried Singo and Breel Embolo. That did follow five wins in their previous 11 games across all competitions. 

Arsenal Team News: Defensive injuries

Arsenal are dealing with several issues at the back with Riccardo Calafiori once again missing from the clash with Fulham, whilst Gabriel is also a doubt. Fellow defensive trio Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko are confirmed absentees. 

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Partey, Saliba, Kiwior, Timber; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli

Unavailable: Tomiyasu (Injured), White (Injured), Zinchenko (Injured)

Questionable: Gabriel (Fitness), Calafiori (Fitness)

Monaco Team News: Couple of suspensions

Monaco are dealing with a couple of key suspensions for this week’s clash as both Wilfried Singo and Christian Mawissa are sidelined for the visitors. Edan Diop remains sidelined by injury alongside both Krepin Diatta and Folarin Balogun, too. 

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Majecki; Vanderson, Kehrer, Salisu, Henrique; Camara, Zakaria; Akliouche, Ben Seghir, Golovin; Embolo

Unavailable: Singo (Suspended), Mawissa (Suspended), Diop (Injured), Diatta (Injured), Balogun (Injured)

Questionable: 

Key Stats

  • The only previous UEFA club competition matches between these two teams were in the 2014/15 UEFA Champions League round of 16. A 3-1 win for Monaco in London in the first leg was followed by a 2-0 away victory for Arsenal in the second leg with Monaco progressing on away goals.
  • Arsenal have won their last three UEFA club competition matches at home against French teams without conceding a goal.
  • Arsenal have lost only three of their last 15 UEFA club competition matches against French teams (W9 D3).
  • Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 13 UEFA club competition matches at home (W9 D4).
  • Arsenal have won their last 11 UEFA competition group/league matches at home.
  • Arsenal have lost only one of their last 25 UEFA club competition group/league matches at home (W21 D3).
  • Arsenal have won nine and drawn one of their last ten UEFA Champions League group/league matches at home.
  • Arsenal have kept ten clean sheets in their last 12 UEFA club competition matches at home.
  • Arsenal have not conceded a goal in their last eight UEFA club competition group/league matches at home.
  • Gabriel Jesus needs one goal to reach the landmark of 25 goals scored in the UEFA Champions League proper.
  • Monaco have won three of their last four UEFA club competition matches against English teams (L1).
  • Monaco have lost only four of their last 17 UEFA club competition matches against English teams (W9 D4).
  • Monaco are unbeaten in their last four UEFA club competition matches away from home (W2 D2).
  • Monaco have won 49 matches in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League (all rounds).
  • Monaco have scored 197 goals in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League (all rounds).

Arsenal vs Monaco Prediction

Arsenal have some key defensive injuries and, weirdly, that is something that will hurt them going forward. They are reliant on building up with centre-backs playing at full-back but there is no Ben White and likely no Riccardo Calafiori, whilst Gabriel’s threat from set-pieces is at an elite level. They face a Monaco side that have some tricky players playing behind the lone striker but that is likely to be snuffed out well by the compact Arsenal defensive and midfield block. Given that, whilst the hosts are favourites, it is expected to be a low-scoring encounter.

Arsenal vs Monaco Tip: Arsenal to win & under 3.5 goals