This Is Not The Wenger Show

Match Preview – Arsenal v Monaco – Champions League – 25.02.15

No Premier League team can boast the last 16 qualification record in the Champions League of Arsenal and that is a level of consistency from the teams assembled by Arsène Wenger that often goes under-appreciated.

General squad quality and unfavourable draws against Bayern and Barcelona in recent years has seen Arsenal struggle to reach beyond the last 16 on a regular basis so tonight’s opponents are somewhat of a gift horse for Arsenal.

That is not to suggest that Arsenal will walk this one – no, they’ll still need to be at their fluent best to break down what is a stubborn and defensively sound Monaco side.

Much has been made of this match due to the Wenger connection but his relationship with tonight’s visitors will have no effect on the intensity of the tie. Wenger has been respectful when speaking of the only club to have officially sacked him but has made it clear he believes the best way to respect Monaco is to beat them. Wenger left Monaco over 20 years ago, it’s ancient history, and there is no element of a Wenger legacy in this Monaco side so it’s most certainly not the battle of the Wenger sides some have made it out to be.

I expect Monaco to attempt to frustrate Arsenal and look to settle the tie on home soil. It is for that reason that Arsenal will need to put in the same sort of professional display against their Franco-Monegasque Principality pals as they did Middlesbrough. Arsenal could theoretically win the tie on home soil but attempting to do so opens them up to the sort of punishment that would not be felt until it was too late in Monaco.

A clean-sheet and a goal advantage is the order of the day and whilst 3 would probably all but secure Arsenal’s spot in the Quarter-Finals the endeavour could see them concede. A professional 2-0 win would be the ideal scoreline for Arsenal as it requires Monaco to aim for 3 at home which leaves them open to over-exertion to in the attempt and one away goal for Arsenal would seal it.

Arsenal welcome back Olivier Giroud to their Champions League squad having omitted him for the group stages and the Frenchman is in fine form having recently scored his 50th goal for Arsenal in, injuries considered, a little over 2 seasons. Arsenal will look to him to provide the goals tonight and continue his newly found clinical touch.

Chilean star Alexis Sanchez has carried the weight of match winning responsibility largely on his own for much of this season and the pressure has shown in his recent form so he’ll be keen to dazzle once again with the relief of having more match winners in the team to share the load.

Arsenal from; Szczesny, Ospina, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gabriel, Chambers, Monreal, Bellerin. Flamini, Coquelin, Rosicky, Wilshere, Özil, Giroud, Walcott, Welbeck, Cazorla, Alexis, Akpom.

Predicted Line-up

Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Coquelin, Özil, Cazorla, Welbeck, Alexis, Giroud

I expect to see substitute appearances from Rosicky, Walcott and Wilshere

Match Quote

“We feel as a team that we are on the way up and we can use the Champions League to confirm that.”  – Arsène Wenger

Last 3 Meetings

Arsenal and Monaco have never met competitively before however Monaco did beat Arsenal 1-0 in the Emirates cup in the summer.

Form Guide

Arsenal Last 5
WWWLW

Monaco Last 5
WWLLD

Opposition watch

Monaco qualified for the last 16 by topping group C, conceding only one goal along the way. Scoring goals has been an issue for them since losing Falcao and Rodriguez in the summer but that didn’t stop them racking up 11 points in the Champions League.

Their main goal-threat these days is ex-Manchester United and Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov who, according to his manager, is not in the best condition but still relatively dangerous. Berbatov has admitted himself a fan of Arsenal’s style of play and Wenger thinks the 34 year old’s quality belies his age.

Monaco are good on the break and that has caught Arsenal out a few times this season so it stands to reason that is where they see their advantage.

Factfile

• Arsenal have won all four of their previous knock-out ties against “French” opposition
• Monaco had the best defensive record in the group stages
• Wenger has never lost a match in “France” as Arsenal manager
• This is Arsenal’s 15th consecutive last 16 tie – the best of any English club

Prediction

A gritty 2-0 to Arsenal with Giroud and Alexis on the scoresheet.

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