Arsenal are set to host AS Monaco tonight with a great chance of qualifying to the UEFA Champions League Group Phase knockout stages via the Top Eight finish.
However, Arsenal will go into this match with a host of injuries in the defensive department and despite Mikel Arteta’s update over the weekend, key players like Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori didn’t feature against Fulham and sadly, they were not included in the training photos.
This adds to the defensive conundrum for Mikel Arteta in such an all-important clash, because despite the fact that Arsenal can potentially win this game against Monaco on paper, they will need to come up with the goods on the night to seal a seamless passage to the knockout rounds of Europe’s elite competition.
Arsenal vs. Monaco team news and predicted lineups
Premier League Fulham v Arsenal Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal reacts to a missed chance during the Premier League match Fulham vs Arsenal at Craven Cottage, London, United Kingdom, 8th December 2024 Photo by Gareth Evans/News Images Copyright: xGarethxEvans/NewsxImagesx
To team news, Arsenal is set to go into this game without Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Thankfully, Kieran Tierney is back to full fitness and could potentially feature for the first time since May 2024 after his long-term injury.
Monaco has a host of injuries to deal with and there would be no reunion with former Arsenal striker, Folarin Balogun, that’s currently nursing a shoulder injury. Krepin Diatta is out due to a muscular problem, Edan Diop has a foot injury while Christian Mawissa and Wilfried Singo are suspended.
Predicted Lineups
Arsenal (4-3-3) – Raya; Partey, Saliba, Kiwior, Timber; Odegaard, Merino, Rice; Saka, G. Jesus, Martinelli
Monaco (4-2-3-1) – Majecki; Caio Henrique, Kehrer, Salisu, Vanderson; Camara, Matazo; Golovin, Minamino, Akliouche; Embolo
