Champions League Round of 16: Week Two Preview
Photo Courtesy Arsenal Twitter/@ArsenalFC
Arsenal (EPL) v. Monaco (Ligue 1)
Where: Emirates Stadium in London, England
When: Wednesday, February 25 2:45pm Eastern, Fox Sports 1
Overview: Arsenal have been a model of consistency in the Champions League without actually winning one. This is the Gunners’ 17th consecutive Champions League appearance and 14th straight appearance past the Group Stage. Unfortunately for the side, they have not gone past the Round of 16 since 2010. Monaco, the side that stand in their way, was where Arsene Wenger managed from 1987 to 1994, before taking the job at Arsenal. The two sides did play in preseason at the Emirates, where Monaco did win 1-0. Their goal was scored by now Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao. Champions League is a completely different beast.
The Arsenal side come into this match healthy by their standards and in scintillating form, as mentioned earlier. They currently find themselves 3rd in the EPL table after a tumultuous and injury-filled start to the campaign. Now they are displaying an attack that pundits and fans expected from the side all season. Francis Coquelin has done an incredible job filling the enormous central defensive midfielder void that has haunted the side for many years now. With Coquelin at that position, Arsenal have only lost two matches in 2015 (at Southampton and at Tottenham). Everyone has recognized the exploits of Alexis Sanchez this season, but Mesut Özil is back to his Real Madrid/early Arsenal form since coming back from injury. He seems to be adapting to the English game; as evidenced by bulking up during his time on the sidelines to prepare for physical play along with his willingness and commitment to track back of late.
Monaco displayed the best defensive record of all Champions League teams. While it’s been argued that they advanced from the easiest group, to concede only 1 goal in 6 matches against the quality of clubs in this competition is sensational. Monaco find themselves in 4th place in Ligue 1, tied for the best defensive record there with league-leaders Lyon. Both have only conceded 19 times in 26 matches. Manager Leonardo Jardim has the side playing extremely disciplined and organized despite lacking the goal-scoring punch a side that had Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez displayed last season. Dimitar Berbatov, a player very familiar to EPL defenses, poses Monaco’s greatest threat.
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Players to Watch: With 7 goals in his past 10 matches since coming back from a broken leg, it will be of the utmost importance that Olivier Giroud continues his fiery form. His goal scoring has taken attention away from the fact that Alexis Sanchez has not scored in his past 5 appearances. There is no doubt that Giroud should get the service from the likes of Özil and Cazorla or via crosses from the fullbacks. He will need to find any small openings in the Monaco defense and not make a mistake with it when he gets a chance.
While it’s inevitable that Arsenal will carry the possession, it is important for Monaco’s imposing figure to assert himself in the heart of the midfield. Geoffrey Kongdogbia is athletic, technically skilled, and physical. Arsenal have struggled with these types of midfielders and it will be up to him to thwart many of Arsenal attacks and turn them into dangerous counters for the Ligue 1 side.
Prediction: Arsenal 2, Monaco 0. Yes, we are predicting Monaco to concede two times the amount of goals they gave up in all Group Stage matches. Arsenal are simply on fire at home and it will be difficult to defend a fort under continuous assault for 90 minutes. The second goal will come late when Monaco has pushed up.
Next: Bayer Leverkusen v. Atletico Madrid