As the UEFA Champions League near the conclusion of its league phase, every match and every point will carry that extra weight with it. Same is the case with the match between seventh-placed Arsenal and eighth-placed AS Monaco as they prepare to lock horns at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, December 11.
The Gunners will enter this game on the back of a good run of form. They have won four of their last five matches across competitions, securing a draw in the other one. In this run, Arsenal have scored an impressive 16 goals and conceded just four as they look to carry the momentum forward. Having drawn 1-1 against Fulham last time out, they will look to return to winning ways.
Monaco, on the other hand, will enter this match on the back of a mixed run of form. They have won three of their last five matches across competitions. However, they have also suffered two defeats in that run, and will look to avoid any more slip-ups. They will draw confidence from their 2-0 win against Toulouse last time out.
That said, let’s take a look at how the Gunners could line up.
Predicted Arsenal lineup for Monaco clash
Defensive pair Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori both missed out on the Gunners’ 1-1 draw at Fulham on December 8. However, both of them will be in contention to return to the lineup for a crucial match, which means Arsenal will have their full-strength back line.
As a result, Thomas Partey will move into midfield, completing the set trio with captain Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will start on the wings for the Gunners, while Kai Havertz will take up the central role.
Predicted XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.
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