By Neel Shelat
Defensive deficiencies for either side
Each groups will probably be with out some key defensive gamers for this match, albeit for various causes.
Gabriel Magalhães, Benjamin White and Riccardo Calafiori are all anticipated to overlook the sport for Arsenal, whereas rotation choice Takehiro Tomiyasu stays sidelined and Oleksandr Zinchenko additionally missed the weekend’s match in opposition to Fulham. Mikel Arteta discovered a artistic answer for that fixture as Jurriën Timber was shifted throughout to the left of the again line and Thomas Partey dropped to the suitable, so it is going to be fascinating to see whether or not a extra standard choice like Kieran Tierney is most well-liked for this comparatively lower-stakes recreation.
Arsenal drew that recreation at Fulham, taking their present unbeaten run to 6 video games, in all competitions.
Monaco, alternatively, must take care of a few suspensions. Versatile defender Wilfried Singo’s pink card led to their dramatic defeat in opposition to Benfica within the final spherical, whereas younger Christian Mawissa obtained his third yellow card of the Champions League season in that recreation. Krépin Diatta, who has largely been used with no consideration again this season, can also be out injured.
Regardless of these absences, each defences will be anticipated to carry agency as they’ve conceded the second-lowest xG tally of their respective leagues. In a doubtlessly tight match, Arsenal could effectively flip to set-pieces once more having scored from corners in every of their final 4 video games. Nevertheless, they may meet their match on this respect too as Monaco have conceded the fewest photographs from set-pieces in Ligue 1 this season.
Monaco’s children raring to impress
23-year-old USMNT striker Folarin Balogun will miss the chance to reunite with former membership Arsenal as he too is out injured, however Monaco have a complete host of different children who will probably be eager to impress.
Chief amongst them will probably be teenage Moroccan worldwide Eliesse Ben Seghir, who’s equally able to scoring and creating objectives as his tally of 4 objectives and three assists in Ligue 1 this season exhibits. Rotating between the left and central attacking positions in Monaco’s 4-2-3-1 formation, he’s certain to excite at any time when he will get on the ball.
Ben Seghir can quite steal the highlight away from a few of his teammates at instances, particularly fellow attacker Maghnes Akliouche. The French youth worldwide has 4 objectives and as many assists to his title for Monaco on the again of a busy summer time wherein he was part of France’s silver medal-winning Olympic aspect.
Senegalese midfielder Lamine Camara and Brazilian proper again Vanderson also needs to be thought of ones to observe, whereas 18-year-old striker George Ilenikhena will look to make an affect off the bench once more.
Prediction
Monaco have adopted a reasonably intense fashion of play underneath Adi Hütter this season, however it would possibly simply show to be their undoing in opposition to an Arsenal aspect who’ve grit and star energy in equal measure. The Gunners might effectively file a slender victory.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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