Champion’s League Match Preview: Arsenal v Monaco; To Dream The Impossible Dream

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go.

To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star.

– Don Quixote from Man of La Mancha

It doesn’t seem all that long ago that we were stunned into silence as the level of ineptitude forced us to wonder what we had deserved to witness such a poor display by an Arsenal side. However, when looked at it dispassionately, without the lens of the frustrated fan, you can only come to one conclusion, the result didn’t reflect the nature of the two teams.

In this excellent piece on Football Alternative, writer Jonny Singer looks at the fact that Arsenal were wasteful not woeful and had they buried any of their earlier chances the outcome would’ve likely been different. Let’s make sure we start on even ground before you all go off the deep end here – Arsenal weren’t brilliant, of that Jonny and I are in agreement. We are also in agreement that Monaco were hardly a team that dominated Arsenal. Unlike our ties against Bayern and Barca, where they never looked like the got out of second gear, Monaco, were blessed by poor Arsenal defending and the fact they buried the key chances they needed to.

However, if Giroud, Walcott, and Welbeck all buried their chances – and by chances I just don’t mean scuffed shots, I mean chances on goal that should have gone in  or been on target (there were 8 between the 3 of those players) the game is over and out of sight. For as bad as Arsenal were defending, Monaco allowed us free reign and we didn’t capitalize. They did. It’s that simple.

So what you say? Rightly so. The result is the result and Arsenal’s wastefulness in the last match means that once again they are staring down the abyss of an impossible task to progress to the next round. At 3-1 Arsenal need to obviously score 3 more than Monaco. Duh right. The problem is that on the road we”ve been less than stellar defensively. We have gotten better but for the most part it’s that good ol’ Arsenal weakness again.

Attacking options aren’t the issue. We have plenty of those, and with the return of Aaron Ramsey, you could see a shift from the lineup we have proposed below. Confidence is riding high even in light of the result a fortnight ago. While the Champions League is hanging by a thread, the domestic run has led to some tapping Arsenal to actually push Chelsea and possibly surpass Man City. In online communities like 라카지노, where fans often gather to discuss not just the games but also betting strategies, predictions, and match analysis, there’s a growing buzz. Enthusiasts are debating whether Arsenal’s recent momentum will translate into success at Stade Louis II or if the challenges of European competition will prove too great. The impressive run in the league and the return to Wembley after beating United at Old Trafford have buoyed the squad, giving them confidence and belief. The big question remains: can this domestic success carry over to the European stage, or will the pressure of international competition derail their ambitions?

For Monaco’s part they aren’t likely to attack. Like they did at the Emirates they will sit back and absorb Arsenal’s pressure looking for an opportunity to counter. The problem was they didn’t actually defend all that well and if Arsenal can uncrack them early in the match, then they will have to come out of their shells. It’s the most worn out cliche but the first goal is so important and the earlier it comes for Arsenal, the better.

The worry for me is how open we’re going to be trying to chase goals. If we can’t shore up the defense, we will be susceptible to the counter-attack. I know duh. But we’re going to chase the game. We’re going to need to combine the attacking flair of this weekend with the defensive stability we showed at the Etihad. Wenger talks repeatedly about the balance of the squad. Well balance between attacking and defending is going to be everything in this match and if it isn’t just right we’ll surely be gone.

It is still a monumental task. We’ve shown that we can go to return legs and put on quixotic attempts that fall short of the goal. In the end we’re left with a moral victory and reassurance we can focus on getting back to the Champion’s League. However, Arsenal have a real chance to do something here. If this were a Bayern or Barca, I would think otherwise. But as Jonny points out in his piece, Monaco were hardly a dominating side. We still have the talent to do it. The question is do we have the time and focus to achieve it.

Unfortunately, had we kept it 2-1 at the Emirates I would’ve pegged Arsenal for moving on from here. However, that late goal by Monaco looms large and as much as I believe in the impossible being achieved my gut tells me we are in store for another heroic, valiant attempt that falls short. Still, I like to dream and well, I will and I scream non-stop if we actually manage to right the unrightable wrong of a fortnight ago.

Probable Lineups:

Click to enlarge

Arsenal Injuries and Suspensions:
Arteta (ankle), Debuchy (shoulder), Oxlade-Chamberlain (hamstring), Diaby (calf), Wilshere (ankle)

Monaco Injuries and suspensions
PBakayoko (hamstring), Lacina Traoré (broken leg), Raggi (knee), Ferreira-Carrasco (doubtful – ankle), Toulalan (doubtful – thigh), Kondogbia (doubtful – thigh),

Head to Head Tournament Stats:

Match Officials

Referee: Svein Oddvar Moen (NOR)
Assistant referees: Kim Thomas Haglund (NOR) , Frank Andås (NOR)
Additional assistant referees: Ken Henry Johnsen (NOR) , Svein-Erik Edvartsen (NOR)
Fourth official: Sven Erik Midthjell (NOR)

Broadcast Information:
US: FoxSoccer 2 Go 3:45 PM EST

UK: ITV 1 19.45 GMT/20.45 CET

YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal 2 – 0 Monaco (Arsenal 3 – 3 Monaco aggregate)

Manager’s Comments (courtesty UEFA.com)

Arsène Wenger, Arsenal 

Monaco are in a very strong position but we have experience and the desire and belief that we can do it. So we are here to do it. We will have to play on full power, focusing on our offensive and defensive games. The desire is there.

I am confident. The odds are stacked against us, but we will give absolutely everything to turn the tie around. We will show a different face. In the first leg we failed, which was surprising given our form. We have a second chance and we will exploit it.

It is a special moment for me but experience allows me to manage the pressure. We must have a great game, do our best and give our all. If we did not believe in ourselves we would not have turned up.

Leonardo Jardim, Monaco 

We approach this game in the same manner as ever. We are not thinking about the result; we just want to play and produce some good football. Arsenal did not take us lightly in the first leg, it’s just that we had the perfect game. We are at half-time in the tie. We are two goals up but this game will be the most difficult of our season so far.

When you are up against a team like Arsenal, you must stay focused. We have changed our defensive system a few times but we have always performed on the pitch. That is one of our strengths.

Everybody wants to go far in the Champions League. We started slowly in the league and we have always been more consistent in the Champions League. Against English teams, PSG and Monaco are showing that we can produce real quality.

We’ll let Peter O’Toole take it from here: