Arsenal vs. Monaco: UCL Previews, odds and Predictions

Get the latest previews, odds, and predictions for the upcoming UEFA Champions League match between Arsenal and Monaco. Stay updated with all the information you need before the big game.

author-image
Daniel A.
New Update
Arsenal vs. Monaco: UCL Previews, odds and Predictions

On Wednesday, in the league phase match at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal and Monaco, teams forever associated with the great Arsene Wenger and Thierry Henry, will battle it out for the title of Champions League champions.

After five matches, the two heavy hitters are neck and neck in the 36-team UCL standings, fighting for one of the two automatic qualifying spots for the round of 16.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

It was widely anticipated that Arsenal and Sporting Lisbon would score six goals in their Champions League encounter at the Estadio Jose Alvalade. However, few predicted that the men in red and white would score five of those goals.

But now that Ruben Amorim isn't there to keep the Green and Whites together, Mikel Arteta's men annihilated the Primeira Liga heavyweights in their most recent European outing, and the Gunners sailed into the coveted top eight slots with a 5-1 thrashing of Sporting.

With six wins in top-level European matches played at home since the start of the 2023-24 season, Arsenal is third in the league behind Shakhtar Donetsk and Paris Saint-Germain in UCL home affairs. Only Barcelona and Bayern Munich have more wins than Arsenal, with seven each. Arsenal has scored in their last eleven Champions League home contests.

Arsenal have won seven of their last eight matches played at home this term, and they have won four of their previous six matches in front of the North London fans at the Emirates Stadium, where they used to have shutout struggles. They have also yet to lose a home tournament this year.

Despite their impressive road form, the Gunners could not secure a Premier League victory at Fulham last weekend, drawing 1-1. With a loss for Fulham, they risk falling nine points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.

Managed by Adi Hutter, Monaco is looking to redeem itself from their most recent encounter on the continent. They share Arsenal's 10-point total from five Champions League matches this season, with a weaker goal differential separating them from the Gunners.

Matchday five saw their future hosts thrash Portuguese opponents, but Les Monegasques lost 3-2 at home to Benfica. Benfica had 1-0 and 2-1 leads before Burnley loanee Zeki Amdouni capped a remarkable comeback for the Eagles.

The late collapse by Monaco on November 27 was caused by defender Wilfried Singo's red card early in the second half. However, Singo made amends over the weekend when he scored the first goal, and Breel Embolo sealed a 2-0 win against Toulouse.

Having established themselves as serious contenders for Paris Saint-Germain's crown, Les Monegasques aim to win Champions League away matches for the first time since the 2014–15 campaign. They are five points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain and level on points with second-placed Marseille in the Ligue 1 table.

Coincidentally, the last time the visitors won back-to-back UCL games on the road was against Arsenal. In February 2015, they won 3-1 at the Emirates, but Wenger's team lost 2-0 at home in the second leg of that last-16 tie, and they still advanced on away goals.

Arsenal x Monaco Team News

Due to a late injury to Oleksandr Zinchenko—who is also doubtful about the visit to Monaco—Arteta had no option but to use a different defense in Arsenal's match against Fulham.

Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes are in the same situation; Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu will both miss this match owing to knee ailments, and Arteta may have to bite the bullet and re-instate one player due to his defensive issue.

Kieran Tierney was named to Arsenal's Champions League team, so he'll likely be a starter on Wednesday. Thomas Partey will either shift into midfield or sit this one out, giving Jurrien Timber a chance to start at right back, where he's more comfortable.

In Wednesday's match, Monaco will again face a depleted defense. Still, for different reasons: Singo is serving a suspension after receiving a red card, while Christian Mawissa is banned for accumulating too many bookings.

As a result, Thilo Kehrer and Mohammed Salisu will start in the middle of the defense for Hutter. Up forward, Folarin Balogun will miss out on a reunion with his old team because of a shoulder injury.

With Krepin Diatta out with a muscle injury and Edan Diop out with a foot injury, Monaco's attack is even more depleted. However, the away team boasts a teenage prodigy in Eliesse Ben Seghir, who, like Kylian Mbappe before him, has the potential to score in back-to-back Champions League games.

Our Predictions

Arsenal is to win, and both teams are to score NO @ 2.05 on Sky247.ng

The Gunners should anticipate more joy on the sides since European opposition only sometimes anticipates Arsenal's open-play phases and can successfully double-team players like Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, unlike Premier League clubs.

We predict that the hosts will improve their chances of advancing to the round of 16 by defeating a Monaco team that is reeling from defensive bans. This is because the hosts are still deadly in dead-ball situations as well.

 Elevate your betting experience with SKY247 Nigeria. Join now and discover a thrilling world of sports, live events, and exclusive bonuses. Bet with confidence on your favorite teams and games.

Arsenal Monaco