Team News
Arsenal:
Things are beginning to look brighter at Arsenal with no fresh injury concerns from the game at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.
Aaron Ramsey is continuing his recovery on a hamstring injury, and is set to return to full training in a weeks time.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has already returned to intense training with the first team, and will look to make an appearance in the squad on Sunday afternoon against Everton.
Also on the sidelines are long-term absentees Matthieu Debuchy, Mikel Arteta and About Diary who are expected to return next month at some stage, but its hard to pinpoint exactly when.
The Gunners are boosted by the return of Jack Wilshere, who featured as an unused substitute against Palace. Wenger will be reluctant to throw Wilshere straight back into the mix because he is ahead of schedule, so doesn’t want to rush anything too soon. He is most likely set to make an appearance as a substitute against Monaco.
Monaco:
Creative midfielder Yannick Carrasco has a bad bruise on his right thigh, and is therefore placed as a doubt for the game on Wednesday evening whilst receiving treatment.
First-choice left back, Layvin Kurzawa, has had a troubled season so far with a hamstring injury. He has now picked up a harsh bruise on his quadricep and is still being treated.
Former Chelsea and Real Madrid defender, Ricardo Carvalho is back in light training but will not be likely to feature.
Andrea Raggi, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Lacina Traore are also out of contention whilst they recover from serious injuries.
Predicted Line Ups
Arsenal:
Defence
David Ospina will continue his impressive run of form in goal, with the Gunners losing just once in 2015 whilst he’s been between the sticks. His ability to dominate the aerial threat from corners will help to deal with header specialist, Dimitar Berbatov.
Arsenal are in a good position defensively, with only Matthieu Debuchy being the absentee. Calum Chambers will start at right back but needs to control his positioning when holding a high line, especially with the pace of Monaco left-mid, Wallace.
Per Mertesacker and Koscielny will maintain their places in the centre to offer some experience and protect the back line, this is a game that is vital we do not concede, so we can’t afford to take any risks.
The only change at the back should be Kieran Gibbs, who can control going forward and back with ease, he’ll come in for Nacho Monreal who needs a break after such a long build up of games.
Midfield
Francis Coquelin and Rosicky will start in the deeper role of midfield to control the game. Coquelin adds something to our game which is determination. I doubt Wenger will want to risk Jack Wilshere starting so Rosicky can come in to sure things up for the first 60 or 70 minutes to dominate the play and put the Gunners in control.
It’s important Arsenal have something to take to France, and they’ll get that in goals from an attacking trio of Ozil, Cazorla and Alexis. These three spark danger the moment they’re placed on the team-sheet, and with a handy back-up of Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck, the Gunners have the numbers to bring on if things aren’t working out there.
Striker
Solo striker will be in-form Frenchman, Olivier Giroud, who has four goals in his last five games. He’ll be keen to get going on a defence who currently have a number of injury setbacks.
Arsenal Starting XI: Ospina, Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Coquelin, Rosicky, Alexis, Cazorla, Ozil, Giroud
Monaco
Goalkeeper, Subasic, will continue his impressive form which has led to Monaco maintaining the fourth placed position in Ligue 1.
The French side will be keen to utilise right-back, Abdennour, who receive a red card in their recent league game.
Silva will come in for Carrasco who is a doubt with that recent knock, but the front line will look well placed as it has done all season.
Dimitar Berbatov will play as a solo striker with the Gunners being aware exactly what he can pull out of the bag at times.