Arsenal, also know as Set Piece FC, host Monaco on Wednesday in a big UEFA Champions League game.
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Mikel Arteta’s side took seven points from a possible nine in their last three Premier League games and also battered Sporting Lisbon 5-1 away from home last time out in the Champions League. Arsenal have dominated opponents on set pieces and their last three Premier League goals have all come from those situations. But they’ve looked a little sluggish in open play in recent games and Arteta is hoping injuries calm down as defensively he is back to limited options. The Gunners sit in seventh place in the Champions League table, level on 10 points with their opponents Monaco.
As for Monaco, the Ligue 1 side have been a breath of fresh in Europe this season. They beat Barcelona at home to kick off their campaign and took care of some winnable games before blowing a 2-1 lead to lose 3-2 at home to Benfica last time out. Still, they sit third in the Ligue 1 table, have a host of talented youngsters and look set to push all the way for a spot in the top eight of the Champions League.
How to watch Arsenal vs Monaco live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Wednesday (December 11)
Venue: Emirates Stadium — London, England
How to watch: Stream on Paramount+ and TUDN USA
Arsenal team news, focus
A back four of Timber, Saliba, Kiwior and Partey is set to be rolled out again but Tierney could come in at left back with Timber moving to right back. Up front the duo of Martinelli and Jesus could start to freshen things up, but it’s likely Arteta will go with Havertz up top, Saka on the right and then flip a coin between Trossard and Martinelli on the left. Rice, Merino and Odegaard should start in central midfield but perhaps this is the game to start teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri? He can certainly bring the creativity Arsenal have been missing from open play.
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Monaco team news, focus
Denis Zakaria, Edan Diop and Soungoutou Magassa are missing for this game, while there are plenty of familiar players to keep an eye. Arsenal academy product and USMNT striker Folarin Balogun would usually be top of that list but he’s suffered a setback in his return from a shoulder injury and wasn’t in the squad for Monaco’s win against Toulouse last weekend. Swiss international Breel Embolo is always a threat on the counter, while Takumi Minamino and Aleksandr Golovin have plenty of creativity and experience in attack.
Arsenal vs Monaco prediction
This will probably be closer than most people expect but Arsenal will get the win, probably from a set piece goal, to cement their spot in the top eight. Arsenal 2-1 Monaco.