Forever linked by the legendary Arsène Wenger and Thierry Henry, Arsenal and Monaco face off at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday in a pivotal Champions League contest. Just one spot separates the two teams in the 36-club UCL standings, with both clinging to one of the final automatic qualification places for the last 16.
Arsenal’s recent European exploits have been nothing short of dominant. A stunning 5-1 demolition of Sporting Lisbon on matchday five showcased the Gunners’ firepower. With the Portuguese side in disarray, Mikel Arteta’s team seized the opportunity to jump into the top eight.
At home, Arsenal has been a force to reckon with. Victories over Shakhtar Donetsk and Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the competition underline their strength at the Emirates. Only Barcelona and Bayern Munich have won more Champions League home games since the start of the 2023-24 season. The Gunners have also scored in 11 consecutive UCL matches on their own turf and recently tightened up defensively, managing four clean sheets in their last six home fixtures.
Despite their European momentum, Arsenal hit a stumbling block over the weekend in the Premier League, settling for a frustrating 1-1 draw with Fulham. With runaway leaders Liverpool threatening to extend their lead, Arteta’s men need to refocus quickly to maintain their strong position in Europe.
Monaco comes into this clash level on points with Arsenal but behind only on goal difference. However, Adi Hütter’s side has a point to prove after their dramatic 3-2 loss to Benfica on matchday five. Despite holding leads of 1-0 and 2-1, a red card for Wilfried Singo early in the second half opened the door for a Benfica comeback, capped by Zeki Amdouni’s decisive strike.
Monaco rebounded in Ligue 1 over the weekend, with Singo redeeming himself by scoring in a 2-0 win over Toulouse, sealed by Breel Embolo’s late goal. Currently tied with Marseille and five points behind PSG in the Ligue 1 title race, Monaco has established itself as a serious contender domestically.
On the European stage, however, the Monegasques have struggled for consistency away from home, seeking their first Champions League road victory since the 2014-15 campaign. That season, they famously defeated Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates in the first leg of a last-16 tie before losing 2-0 at home but advancing on away goals.
As Arsenal aims to protect its unbeaten home record this season and Monaco looks to end its UCL away drought, this encounter promises high stakes and intense action. With both sides fighting for a coveted spot in the knockout rounds, the stage is set for a memorable night at the Emirates.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Arsenal's recent clash with Fulham forced Mikel Arteta to field his ninth different defensive lineup of the Premier League season, a move dictated by a late injury to Oleksandr Zinchenko. The Ukrainian remains a doubt for Monaco’s visit, adding to Arteta’s mounting selection headaches.
Gabriel Magalhães and Riccardo Calafiori are in similarly uncertain territory, while Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are confirmed absentees with knee injuries. With limited options, Arteta might have to take a bold step and reintroduce Kieran Tierney, who was named in Arsenal’s Champions League squad and is a strong contender for Wednesday's starting XI. Alternatively, Myles Lewis-Skelly could be considered as a stopgap in the backline.
The defensive crisis deepened further ahead of the Monaco clash as neither Jurrien Timber nor Thomas Partey participated in Tuesday’s training session. This could pave the way for academy prospects Josh Robinson or Josh Nichols to make a surprise start at right-back.
Monaco, meanwhile, is also grappling with defensive challenges, though for different reasons. Wilfried Singo is suspended after his red card on matchday five, and Christian Mawissa will miss out due to accumulated bookings. Adi Hütter is expected to pair Mohammed Salisu with Thilo Kehrer at the heart of the defense.
Further complicating matters for the visitors, Folarin Balogun—who would have faced his former club—is sidelined with a shoulder injury. Monaco is also without Denis Zakaria (unspecified), Krépin Diatta (muscle), and Edan Diop (foot).
However, Monaco does have a bright spot in 19-year-old sensation Eliesse Ben Seghir. The talented forward, who scored in their last Champions League outing, could make history by becoming just the second teenager after Kylian Mbappé to score in consecutive UCL matches for Monaco.
Both sides enter this high-stakes game with depleted squads, setting the stage for a test of depth and resilience at the Emirates.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
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
EXPERT PREDICTION
Arsenal 2-0 Monaco
