Tonight in a great match of Champions League, Arsenal will host Monaco looking to take a major step toward finally returning to the quarterfinals. Finalists in 2006 and semifinalists three years later, Arsenal have been punished heavily in recent years for finishing runners-up in the group phase.

Arsenal will no doubt have been pleased with the draw having escaped one of the tournament favourites after finishing second in their group for the third season running but Monaco have gained momentum going into the game.

Arsenal has kind of turned the tables and are on a great run of form in premier league overtaking Manchester United to the third place now after the match with Crystal Palace on the weekend.
For Arsenal tonight’s game is a chalenge, for Arsene Wenger to Monaco is not a stranger,Wenger made his name at Monaco, as he coaching them for 7 years back in late 80s and early 90s before leaving for Japan and taking over Arsenal couple of yeas later. On paper this is a tie where Arsenal should get through if we look at the form and players at Arsenal disposal but Monaco do have some quality players who can upset Arsenal on their day. here is a short preview and team news from both camps. Arsenal are undefeated in their last 5 matches in the Champions League (including qualifiers)and they have scored at least 2 goals in their last 5 matches in the Champions League (including qualifiers).

Tonight will not be on the field David Ospina because a minor back problem, and he will be replaced by Wojciech Szczesny, also Ramsey and Oxlade-Chamberlain all likely to remain sidelined.

Monaco finished with the lowest points total, it is incredible that they have scored just four goals in six matches against Bayer Leverkusen, Zenit St Petersburg and Benfica. An incredible splurge of investment by Russian billionaire owner Dmitry Rybolovlev followed their promotion to Ligue Un in 2013, with the goal of quickly turning them into a major European force. Eyebrows were raised as established stars like Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho arrived, helping Monaco to second in the France and getting a coveted place in the Champions League. But then came a just as drastic change in direction.

Monaco have however, managed to make it through against English clubs in their last three knockout encounters with them. But they haven’t managed to win any of their seven away games in the knockout stages of the Champions League (D2 L5) and it’s hard to see them having the firepower to pull off an escape act if the Gunners bank a solid win at the Emirates tonight.

Tonight will not be on the field Layvin Kurzawa and winger Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco are doubts, although only have minor issues. But Monaco will be without the suspended midfielder Jérémy Toulalan, former Chelsea and Real Madrid defender Ricardo Carvalho as well as Tiemoué Bakayoko and Andrea Raggi.

Arsenal will be the favorite team tonighr, also considering the form they are in at the moment, we can see them getting a lead to France for the second leg. Arsenal should dominate as Monaco have averaged the lowest possession in the Champions League this season among the 16 teams left in the competition (43.8%).