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Arsenal know that they have a high mountain to climb this evening as the take on Monaco in the tiny Principality trailing 3-1 from the first leg of their Champions League last-16 match.


In order for the Gunners to progress they need to score a minimum of three goals against the home side while not letting them score, with the worst case scenario a 1-3 result that forces the match to penalties.


Arsenal beat West Ham at the weekend 3-0 while Monaco have had more rest playing their last game Friday night winning 3-0 against a nine-men Bastia side.


Team News
The big news for Monaco is that Ricardo Carvalho and Jérémy Toulalan are back which will allow Fabinho to move back to his more familiar right-back position rather than the holding midfielder role he played during the first-leg.
As for Arsenal, Arsene Wenger will be missing midfielder’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta and Abou Diaby, whilst Tomáš Rosický is still doubtful.


Predicted Line-Up

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Goalkeeper
David Ospina will remain is nets for the Gunners following his clean sheet at the weekend, and could be the Gunners hero tonight as Monaco will look to score on the counter attack knowing that Arsenal has to score three goals.

Defence
No guesses here with both Koscielny and Mertesacker starting in the centre off defence with the big German no doubt praying he does not have a repeat of the nightmare he suffered in the first leg.


At right back will be Hector Bellerin, while on the left the more experienced Nacho Monreal should replace Kieran Gibbs after the England international was devoid of idea’s going forward in the first-leg.


Midfield
Here we expect to Coquelin playing deep knowing that he will be expected to bring the ball forward after a not so convinced performance at the Emirates in which he was booked. Playing ahead of the Frenchman will be Aaron Ramsey who returned to the line-up at the weekend scoring a goal against the Hammers.


Unlike the first leg where Wenger started Welbeck we think he will go with playmaker Cazorla with Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil playing out wide leaving Welbeck to come on with his fresh legs in the second half if the Gunners are still going after goals. As for Theo Walcott he did nothing to deserve a place in the team given his rusty performance at the weekend, but could see action late on if Wenger needs to roll the dice.


Attack

Once more it will be down to Olivier Giroud being in the right place at the right time, and knowing he will be expected to score we expect Giroud to be motivated for this game.

 

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