Arsenal’s Champions League credentials will face another big test when they welcome Monaco to north London on Wednesday evening.
Before kick off, both of Arsene Wenger’s former clubs, Arsenal and Monaco, are level on 10 points with an identical record in the league stage of Europe’s top competition.
Arsenal have several injury concerns ahead of the tie – a familiar tale this season.
Of course, the game would have been the first time Folarin Balogun played against Arsenal since leaving, but the striker is unfortunately missing the tie owing to a shoulder injury.
Instead, Monaco manager Adi Hutter will deploy the likes of former Liverpool player Takumi Minamino and former Arsenal target from many years ago, Aleksandr Golovin.
Adi Hutter says what he’s noticed about Arsenal’s ‘very strong’ set-pieces
Hutter spoke at length about Arsenal in his pre-match press conference in London and focused on their set-piece threat in particular.
Mikel Arteta’s side are constantly lauded or criticised for their set-piece prowess of late, something the Monaco boss only saw as a ‘weapon’ for the Gunners.
Hutter said: “Tomorrow we will face one of the best teams in Europe at the moment.
“They are very strong on set pieces, it’s a real weapon for them, that’s obvious. They train a lot for that, but we have an idea of how we should defend in these phases.
READ MORE: I left Arsenal for £30m and now I haven’t scored for 27 league games in a row
“It will be a very big game for us, but we are here in London to show our style of play, our brand of committed football.
“It is also difficult to face us, and we will be on the lookout for any opportunity they can give us. We do not only want to be a good opponent, but to try to bring something back from here.
“Our preparation for this match was necessarily more advanced than for a classic Ligue 1 match, that’s for sure, because Arsenal are a top team!
“They are very strong on set pieces, it’s a real weapon for them, that’s obvious.
“They train a lot for that, but we have an idea of how we should defend in these phases. And then we can also be a threat to them in this area, because that’s also something that’s an area of strength for us.
“In any case, we will have to defend very well tomorrow, be very attentive and not make stupid mistakes to give them chances on free kicks for example.
“But I repeat, we have a clear idea of what we want to do and we will try to implement it.”
Arsenal turn to Kieran Tierney vs Monaco after injury update
Of course, Arteta’s team selection against Monaco is arguably more interesting than ever.
Arteta could choose an entirely new partnership on the left-hand side of his team, one that could see the return of Kieran Tierney.
After his hamstring injury ruled out a summer move, Tierney has been working hard to get back fit in order to possibly be ready for a January transfer.
As it goes, Arsenal are so short on options at left-back owing to injuries that Tierney should make his comeback vs Monaco.
A remarkable turnaround for the Scotland international, who might even fancy a goal from a set-piece himself.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
