Arsenal welcome Monaco to the Emirates Stadium this Sunday for their penultimate match of the Champions League league phase. With both teams vying for a place in the top 8 of the new Swiss format, this encounter promises to be a high-stakes affair.
Arsenal’s Current Form
Arsenal head into this match off the back of a frustrating 1-1 draw against Fulham in the Premier League. In Europe, however, they’ve enjoyed a strong campaign, sitting comfortably in 5th place in the Champions League table after five matches. Their six clean sheets at home in their last seven Champions League games underscore their defensive solidity. Only Barcelona and Bayern Munich have more home wins in the competition since last season.
Mikel Arteta has expressed confidence in his squad despite injury challenges, recently praising the performances of Jakub Kiwior and Jorginho in key roles. Arsenal will look to leverage their home advantage and the attacking brilliance of Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard to secure another vital victory.
Monaco’s European Journey
Monaco are currently 11th in the Champions League standings, leaving them just outside the automatic qualification spots for the Round of 16. Their recent 2-0 win against Toulouse in Ligue 1 has kept them in strong domestic form, but their European journey has been inconsistent. However, their 1-0 victory at Bologna in this season’s group phase demonstrated their ability to deliver on the road.
Historically, Monaco boast an impressive record against English sides in the Champions League, having won five of their last seven encounters. They’ll hope to replicate their iconic 3-1 victory at the Emirates in 2015, a game that still haunts Arsenal fans.
Key Statistics
Arsenal have scored in 11 consecutive Champions League home games since 2016, averaging 2.6 goals per match during this period.
Monaco have won their last away game in the Champions League and could win back-to-back away fixtures for the first time since their 2014-15 run, which included a victory at Arsenal.
Arsenal rank among the top defensive teams in the competition, with six clean sheets at home since last season.
Champions League Table So Far
After five matches:
Arsenal (5th): 10 points, 3 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss. A win could potentially secure their place in the top 8 and automatic qualification to the Round of 16.
Monaco (11th): 7 points, 2 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses. Monaco must earn points to avoid slipping further down the table, as only the top 16 teams advance to the knockout stages.
Prediction
This game could hinge on Arsenal’s defensive organization and their ability to create chances against a Monaco side adept at soaking up pressure and hitting on the break. A narrow Arsenal win looks likely, but Monaco’s unpredictability makes this a tough call.
Score Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Monaco