The art of praise. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said Tuesday December 10 “really impressed” by Monaco, “a very well organized, very intense team” and who will provide a “good test” to Londoners, Wednesday December 11 in the Champions League. “You see their performance in the Champions League and in the championship, especially against high-level opponents, it’s a real threat” the Spaniard responded at a press conference, “really impressed” by his future opponent. “It’s a very well organized team, very intense, very good in moments of transition as well, and with a lot of quality. So it’s going to be a very good test for us tomorrow (Wednesday)”he added.
Shoulder to shoulder
AS Monaco is third in Ligue 1, five points behind the Parisian leader. In the Champions League, it occupies eighth place directly qualifying for the round of 16 before facing Arsenal, seventh with the same record (3 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss). THE Gunners made their return to the big European Cup last season, after seven years of absence, but this relative inexperience does not worry their coach. In the Premier League, “We face incredible and difficult opponents every week, that’s the good thing”noted Arteta. “So when we meet a very good team like Monaco, we are used to it because we play every three days against this kind of opponent.”
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Arsenal undermined by injuries
The Londoners, vice-champions of England in 2023 and 2024, occupy third place in the championship after fifteen days.
However, they are facing a wave of injuries, particularly in defense, which limits Arteta’s options. In this sector, he is missing Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu, while uncertainty remains around Jürrien Timber, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel.
“Some of them will not be delivered and not available for tomorrow, others are still uncertain. We have 24 hours to make these decisions and, I hope, the right ones”underlined the coach. Despite the injuries, the team was able to maintain their style of play, Arteta said. “I am very happy with the way the team is adapting and the effort the players are making to play in different positions.”
