Arsenal are set for some familiar faces to make their way down to the Emirates Stadium as they take on AS Monaco in the Champions League.
The Gunners were set to take on Hale End academy graduate Folarin Balogun, though he misses out through injury.
Ex-Chelsea loanee Denis Zakaria was another reunion on the cards, though the Swiss international is one of many injuries impacting Monaco.
That’s not to say there aren’t more familiar names set to take on Arsenal though, with Mikel Arteta preparing for a big challenge in the Champions League to secure a place in the top eight.
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Ex-Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino set to face Arsenal for Monaco
Yet another familiar face in the Monaco ranks is forward Takumi Minamino, who is perhaps best known for his stint at Liverpool.
The Japanese international joined the Reds from RB Salzburg in 2020, with the hope that he would compete for a place in the team with their superstar forward line.
Minamino found it tough to oust the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, becoming a squad player at best.
After just two-and-a-half years, he left to join AS Monaco on a permanent deal, where he has had a bit more success.
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Liverpool | 55 | 14 | 3 |
| AS Monaco | 72 | 13 | 12 |
It remains to be seen exactly how well he will do against an Arsenal defence ravaged by injuries on Wednesday night.
However, his performances in the Champions League have helped Monaco sit just behind the Gunners in the table.
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Takumi Minamino’s record against Arsenal
During his time in England, Minamino came up against Arsenal seven times and has a mixed record of three wins, one draw and three defeats.
The 29-year-old has scored twice against the Gunners – once in a 4-0 Premier League thrashing in 2021 and another in his side’s defeat in the Community Shield in 2020.
The ex-Liverpool man has already outlined his thoughts on Arsenal when he came up against the side in the Emirates Cup during the 2023 pre-season.
He said, via the Arsenal official website: ““I have played against Arsenal a few times and it’s always nice to play at Emirates Stadium – the atmosphere is amazing.
“It will be a tough game, but it’s 11 players against 11 players and we have to show now to the coach what we are able to do. We are all pushing to do the best we can.”
Arsenal will have to be at their best to deny a man once cast off by Liverpool but thriving with Monaco.
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