UEFA Champions League: How will Arsenal lineup against AS Monaco

UEFA Champions League Match Preview:

Arsenal will take on AS Monaco on Wednesday in their first leg of the Champions League pre-quarter finals on Tuesday. With many of his first team players out injured, the news that the midfielder Jack Wilshere won’t be making his much-awaited comeback against the French side has subdued the enthusiasm of Arsenal fans. However, with David Ospina returning to full match fitness after that knock which he sustained against Crystal Palace on the weekend, there is a trace of good news for the Gunners’ faithful as well.

Here is how Arsenal are expected to lineup against AS Monaco: –

David Ospina

When Arsenal signed Ospina from Nice in the summer transfer window, it was thought that the Colombian, even though he had a brilliant World Cup campaign, would spend more time on the bench than in the starting lineup. However, since that lack of respect shown by Szczesny, Ospina has grabbed his opportunity with both hands.

Calum Chambers

For a defender who has started just 1 of the last 6 games for Arsenal of late, the inclusion of Calum Chambers in the Arsenal squad would seem strange to many. However, since Bellerin has less experience at top level, Arsene Wenger might prefer the Englishman for the full back role.

Laurent Koscielny

Although Mertesacker has been more type of a commanding figure at the Emirates this season, the Frenchman Koscielny has been doing his work silently. In last 10 matches in which he has started for Arsenal, the Gunners have kept 5 clean sheets.

Per Mertesacker

Although the German was heavily criticized for his effort at Anfield last year, this season has served him as a perfect tonic to regain his form. With his towering figure in the Arsenal defense, Arsenal have won 7 of the last 10 matches. He will be a figure to avoid for Monaco if they want to cause an upset at the English soil.

Nacho Monreal

If you have asked any Arsenal fan about their first choice full back on the left side last summer, their preferred choice would be Kieran Gibbs. However, with Gibbs suffering an untimely injury, the form of the Spaniard has soared in his absence.

Santiago Cazorla

Although Alexis Sanchez have swept the headlines for the Gunners’ for the most part of this season, Cazorla has been a continuous match winner for the Gunners’ of late. Being the 3rd top goal-scorer for Arsenal and the 2nd highest assist maker, Cazorla has the ability to win the match single handedly on Wednesday.

Francis Coquelin

At a time when the defensive midfield zone of Arsenal was under severe criticism, the rise of Francis Coquelin has provided Arsene Wenger with a perfect face-saving. With the in-ability of the French coach to hire a defensive midfielder in both summer and January, it has been the rise of Coquelin that can be described as the turning point of Arsenal’s season.

Tomas Rosicky

For a player who has been sidelined time and again during his career, Tomas Rosicky shares an attribute which a few others manage. Whenever he was sidelined from the squad due to some ill-fated injury, the Serbian has always come back with a bang. Despite only starting just 4 games for Arsenal this season, Rosicky has been turning out to be a dispensable figure for the Gunners’ this season.

Mesut Ozil

If the arrival of Alexis Sanchez has helped the most to one Arsenal player in particular, it has to be the German as his rise in form suggests. With limelight now on the Chilean, Ozil can now maneuver his game and showcase his abilities in a much better way.

Olivier Giroud

Tagged as the player that can only score at home, Olivier Giroud has done pretty well to ratify himself in the eyes of Gunners’ fans of late. With 3 goals in the last 5 matches, Giroud is turning out to be a force for the Gunners’ of late.

Alexis Sanchez

Although the Chilean has been the top-scorer for Arsenal this season, his form in the last 2 matches has taken a dip. Coming back from injury which sidelined him for 2 Premier League games, Sanchez is looking like a player who is coming under the burden of expectations now.

Arsenal Vs AS Monaco will be played at Wednesday 25th February, on 20:45 GMT. [Match Center]

UEFA Champions League: How will Arsenal lineup against AS Monaco