Arsenal vs Monaco

The stakes are at an all-time high for Arsenal and Monaco as they go head-to-head in a heavyweight UEFA Champions League clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal’s formidable four-game winning streak after November’s international break ended abruptly last weekend as they drew 1-1 at Fulham in an uneventful Premier League London derby. Level on points with upcoming rivals Monaco with identical records (W3, D1, L1), the Gunners desperately need a win to increase their chances of locking down a coveted top-eight finish. There’s no better place to achieve that goal than the Emirates, where they’ve won six of their last seven Champions League fixtures (D1), including victories ‘to nil’ against Monaco’s fellow Ligue 1 rivals Lens and PSG. Furthermore, Mikel Arteta’s men head into proceedings unscathed in competitive home action this season (W8, D2), winning both European games in North London without conceding. However, it’s worth noting that both matches featured under 2.5 goals.

In the meantime, Monaco’s quest to secure automatic last-16 promotion at long odds took a significant hit in the last round as Benfica toppled Adi Hutter’s team 3-2 in France, arresting their unbeaten Champions League start (W3, D1). Back on the road after a comfortable 2-0 league triumph against Toulouse, ‘Les Monégasques’ seek an immediate return to winning ways against an Arsenal side they defeated in their only previous European H2H in London. The French giants have traditionally thrived against Premier League opposition, emerging victorious from five of their last seven Champions League encounters against English clubs (L2). However, there’s no room for complacency, considering a 1-0 triumph at Bologna on their most recent continental travel halted their abysmal eight-game winless run in away Champions League action (D4, L4).