Arsenal will be looking to strengthen their grip on a spot in the Champions League knockout stages when they take on Monaco later today.
After going on a four-game winning streak following the November international break, Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw against Fulham in their last outing, leaving them third in the Premier League and six points behind leaders Liverpool who have a game in hand. Attention now turns to the Champions League for Mikel Arteta's side, where a win could be vital as they look to book a spot in the knockout stages.
Three wins, one draw, and one loss have seen Arsenal pick up 10 points so far in the Champions League, the same as tonight's opposition Monaco. The French side sit third in Ligue 1 and are only behind the Gunners on goal difference in the Champions League, so it may not be a walk in the park for Arteta's side later today.
A few players were absent from training ahead of Arsenal's clash with Monaco, including Gabriel, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori.
So, can Arsenal make it two Champions League wins in a row? Let's take a look.
Arsenal vs Monaco score predicted
To complete this simulation, we used EA FC 25 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that Arsenal could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Raya; Tierney, Kiwior, Saliba, Timber; Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard; Trossard, Havertz, Saka.
We predict that Monaco could line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their starting XI as follows: Kohn; Vanderson, Kehrer, Salisu, Henrique; Camara, Zakaria; Akilouche, Minamino, Ben Seghir; Embolo.
Just three minutes in, Arsenal found themselves a goal down, with ex-Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino firing home from close range to give the visitors an early lead. The Gunners were struggling to find their stride in the opening stages, and just 20 minutes in, Arteta's side conceded a second.
Breel Embolo made it 2-0 to Monaco
Breel Embolo made it 2-0 to Monaco (Image: EA Sports)
Maghnes Akliouche latched onto a loose ball on the right, easing past Kieran Tierney before picking out Breel Embolo in the box. The striker shifted the ball onto his left before curling a fantastic effort into the top corner, giving Monaco a surprise two-goal lead.
Arsenal had it all to do in the second half, and just three minutes after the restart, they got the goal they needed when Kai Havertz's flicked header at the near post looped over the 'keeper before nestling in the far corner. With their tails up, the Gunners started to dominate, and in the 60th minute, they managed to draw level.
Kai Havertz made it 2-2
Kai Havertz made it 2-2 (Image: EA Sports)
An inch-perfect pass from Declan Rice picked out Havertz's run in the middle, with the striker squeezing between two players to break through on goal. With the defenders breathing down his neck, the German took his shot early, and it proved the right decision, with his powerful strike finding the top corner.
Arteta's side almost completed the comeback in the final stages of the game when Bukayo Saka's long-range shot was deflected towards goal by William Saliba, but with the 'keeper stranded to the spot, the Frenchman's effort clipped the post before going behind for a goal kick. Neither side could find a winner, with the points shared at the Emirates Stadium.
EA FC 25 predicted final score: Arsenal 2-2 Monaco
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UEFA Champions League
Watch Arsenal's Champions League games free
Prime Video is broadcasting one Champions League game every game week free for Amazon Prime members. Arsenal's upcoming fixtures include Shakhtar Donetsk on October 22, which is free for Prime members or those signing up for a 30-day free trial.
Every Champions League and Europa League game is also available on TNT Sports via Prime Video’s Discovery+ channel.
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