Arsenal vs Monaco LIVE: Champions League team news as exciting youngster handed start
Mikel Arteta’s men have their sights on a place in the top eight but need to overcome Monaco
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal hope to move one step closer to the Champions League knockout rounds as they host Monaco in the sixth round of fixtures during the new league phase.
Following a narrow 1-0 loss to Inter Milan, the Gunners responded with a 5-1 mauling of Sporting in their most recent European outing and can regain their position inside the top eight if they triumph this evening. Mikel Arteta’s men were held to a 1-1 draw against Fulham at the weekend with captain Martin Odegaard calling for “more aggression” in the final third and Arsenal seek to rediscover their form in front of goal.
Meanwhile, Monaco have also excelled during this European campaign and sit one place below Arteta’s side due to goal difference. A 3-2 defeat against Benfica halted their momentum but they will be confident of taking a positive result away from the Emirates Stadium.
Follow all of the Champions League action in our live blog below:
Awarding of 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia will put ‘many lives at risk’, Amnesty International warns
Many lives will be put at risk by the decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, human rights campaign group Amnesty International has warned.
Amnesty International warns Saudi Arabia World Cup will put ‘many lives at risk’
Amnesty have described the decision to award the 2034 tournament to the nation as ‘reckless’
The absurd image that sums up Fifa’s ‘tinpot dictatorship’ as Saudi Arabia awarded World Cup
Miguel Delaney is at the Emirates for us tonight, ready to tuck in to some footballing action after a day dominated by a rather significant story.
The absurd image that sums up Fifa’s ‘tinpot dictatorship’ as Saudi awarded World Cup
The decision to hand Saudi Arabia the 2034 tournament was remotely applauded through by Fifa’s congress in ludicrous scenes and Miguel Delaney explains how this Gianni Infantino-led endeavour perfectly encapsulated the depths to which football has sunk
Mikel Arteta piles praise on Monaco ahead of meeting
“They’re a really good side, you see the run they’ve been on in the Champions League and in the league, especially against top opposition, so a real threat. A team that is superbly well organised, really intense, really good in transition moments as well with a lot of quality, so it’s going to be a very good test for us.
“We have a really good link as well with Arsene [Wenger], Thierry [Henry] as well. There’s a big history there. It’s a very special club, a special place, so we welcome them here and will hopefully be better than them to try to win the game.”
Mikel Arteta on Kieran Tierney
It is a bit of a surprise to see Kieran Tierney given the comments of his manager yesterday.
“He is ready, he’s training really well and he’s going to have an opportunity for sure,” Mikel Arteta said of Tierney. “The way the team is looking at the moment, he is going to do that for that reason and because he’s earned it. The way he’s behaved, the way he’s been with us because he’s willing to do it and when that happens, you have to give those opportunities to players.”
Monaco boss Adi Hutter on the challenge his side face
“It will obviously be a very big match for us, but we are here in London to showcase our style of play; committed football. It is difficult to face us, and we will be on the lookout for any opportunity. We don’t just want to be good opponents.
“They are very strong at set pieces, it’s a real weapon for them. They train a lot on this, but we have an idea of how we should defend them. And we can also be a threat to them in this area, because we too are very efficient.”
Team news - Monaco
With no Denis Zakaria, Soungoutou Magassa is handed a starting midfield role for the visitors.
Monaco XI: Majecki; Vanderson, Salisu, Kehrer, Henrique; Magassa, Camara; Akliouche, Ben Seghir, Golovin; Embolo.
Team news - Arsenal
Youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly makes just his second senior start for Arsenal with the 18-year-old picked ahead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. Gabriel Jesusr leads the line.
Arsenal XI: Raya; Partey, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Merino, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
Subs: Neto, Setford, Timber, Tierney, Robinson, Heaven, Monlouis, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Trossard, Sterling, Havertz.
Unai Emery sets sights on top eight finish after Leipzig thriller
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, meanwhile, has set his sights on automatic qualification to the last 16 of the Champions League after a thrilling 3-2 win at RB Leipzig.
Champions League top-eight possible for Aston Villa after thriller in Leipzig
RB Leipzig 2-3 Aston Villa: Unai Emery’s side are third in the new league phase of the competition ahead of Wednesday’s games and with matches against Monaco and Celtic to come.
Liverpool’s goalkeepers are the best in Europe. Strangely, there are doubts over both
The return of Alisson represents a boost for Liverpool, even if Caoimhin Kelleher has excelled in the Brazilian’s absence. To have two goalkeepers of such high quality is good news for the short-term but, as Richard Jolly explores, the long-term picture isn’t quite so clear...
Liverpool’s goalkeepers are the best in Europe. Strangely, there are doubts over both
Alisson’s impressive return from injury and Caoimhin Kelleher’s assured spell as backup means Arne Slot has a deluxe pair between the posts – but Liverpool still have questions to solve over their long-term futures
Last night’s Champions League action...
Back to tonight’s fixture in a bit with team news not far away, but first let’s look back on yesterday’s fun and fare - Richard Jolly was in Girona to watch Liverpool continue their perfect start.
Two familiar Liverpool heroes validate Arne Slot’s call to extend European dominance
Girona 0-1 Liverpool: Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker together propelled Liverpool to a sixth win in as many games in the Champions League
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments