Arsenal return to action in the Champions League as the Gunners welcome AS Monaco to the Emirates.
The Ligue 1 outfit won’t be welcomed warmly to North London, given the disaster that unfolded the last time Monaco visited.
Arsene Wenger’s side were beaten in the Champions League Round of 16 in 2015, on what was quite frankly, a horrifying night in front of goal in N5.
Mikel Arteta will hope for something different on Wednesday evening however, the manager has several issues to solve first.
Injury crisis in Arsenal team news vs AS Monaco
Arsenal returned to winning ways in glorious fashion in the Champions League as Arteta’s side thrashed Sporting CP 5-1 last time out.
The Gunners’ defence locked down Viktor Gyokeres in Lisbon that night however, dreams of a sturdy back four have been all but eliminated ahead of Monaco.
Arsenal have several defensive injury concerns, with Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori missing from training.
Arteta even hinted that Kieran Tierney could feature against Monaco, a player who hasn’t started for the Gunners in over a year.
Injuries have been a constant concern for Arsenal season, with fortune not turning just yet.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Monaco – Kieran Tierney starts
Arteta suggested that the next 24 hours will determine fitness against Monaco, with calls to be made on those missing from training.
Timber in particular will be a significant miss, considering how impactful the Dutchman has been since recovering from injury.
Based on Arteta’s hints, Tierney could replace Timber at left-back in the XI, with other changes set to happen in defence.
David Raya speaks for himself between the sticks, as does William Saliba at centre-back.
After Jakub Kiwior’s criticism against Fulham, it must be hoped that the Poland international can bounce back, with him surely set to partner Saliba in the middle.
Right-back is another concern for Arteta as Thomas Partey was also missing from training, which could tempt the boss to test the waters with Declan Rice in the role.
If that were the case, Jorginho, Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard make up a three-man midfield, supporting an attacking trio of Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.
Full Arsenal predicted XI: Raya; Tierney, Saliba, Kiwior, Rice; Jorginho, Merino, Odegaard; Trossard, Saka, Jesus
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