Arsenal predicted lineup vs Monaco - sportsnewsfoot

There wasn’t too much wrong with Arsenal’s performance against Fulham on Sunday, but they enter their upcoming bout against Monaco with their momentum stalled.

The Gunners asserted total control at Craven Cottage but struggled to work their former shot-stopper between the sticks. Their reliance on set pieces is beginning to concern a few, but they have shown in recent weeks that they can overwhelm opponents via open-play magic.

Victory on Wednesday hands Mikel Arteta’s side a great chance of securing a top-eight spot and automatic progression into the Champions League round of 16, so don’t expect wholesale rotation from Sunday’s XI despite the quick turnaround.

Here’s how Arsenal could line up against Monaco on Wednesday.

GK: David Raya – The Arsenal goalkeeper has conceded just twice in this competition through five games, with two of his three shutouts arriving at the Emirates.

RB: Thomas Partey – Supporters won’t be thrilled with this, but if Arsenal are still without Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori in defence, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Partey start at right-back again.

CB: William Saliba – The French defender faces up against familiar opposition on Wednesday having scored in back-to-back games from set-pieces.

CB: Jakub Kiwior – Kiwior was at fault for Fulham’s opener on Sunday having impressed against Manchester United in Gabriel’s absence last Wednesday. If the Brazilian isn’t fit, the Pole should get another runout.

LB: Jurrien Timber – Timber has stood out this season, but his limitations as a left-back are starting to be laid bare. Arteta loves the security he provides, though, and he’ll likely be preferred over Myles Lewis-Skelly if Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko miss out.

CM: Declan Rice – Rice continues to prove himself as a force from set-pieces, with his delivery leading to Saliba’s equaliser at Craven Cottage. It’s about time Arteta gave him a run at the base of midfield.

CM: Mikel Merino – With some rotation expected on Wednesday, Merino is a strong contender to come back into the team having made substitute appearances in back-to-back games.

CM: Martin Odegaard – The skipper seemed bothered by the knocks he took to his ankle on Sunday and it’ll be interesting to see how cautious a stance Arteta takes. Odegaard wasn’t able to complete the contest at Craven Cottage but there wasn’t much talk over a potential injury post-match.

RW: Bukayo Saka – Raheem Sterling has not yet garnered the trust of Arteta, so Saka will continue to play and play…and play. There’s little room for respite.

ST: Gabriel Jesus – Arteta loves Kai Havertz, but the German was poor on Sunday and he could be rotated out of the team in favour of Gabriel Jesus, who’s been used sporadically this season.

LW: Gabriel Martinelli – Narratives surrounding the Gunners would have been much brighter on Monday morning had Martinelli opted against veering offside in the build-up to Saka’s ruled out winner in west London. Martinelli nor Leandro Trossard have set the world alight this term, but the former is the more likely to start in midweek.

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