5 reasons Arsenal can beat Monaco in the Champions League
Published:
Down but definitely not out just yet, Arsenal head to the coastal Principality of Monaco looking for something of a Champions League miracle.
Rank outsiders to progress to the quarter finals, the Gunners nevertheless go into the game with renewed confidence having ended their Manchester United hoodoo with victory over the Red Devils in the FA Cup.
So despite the 3-1 first-leg deficit, we are backing the north London club to progress – here is why.
1. Arsenal’s current form is impressive
Saturday’s 3-0 triumph over West Ham represented the Gunners’ fourth consecutive win in all competitions and their 12th in 14 games. More importantly still, Arsenal have won three in a row on the road and have tasted victory in six of their last eight away day outings.
2. Bordeaux have already shown the way
Much has been made of Monaco’s miserly defence; however the principality club have shown themselves to be susceptible to a collapse of their own in Ligue 1 already this season. Having led Bordeaux 1-0 through Dimitar Berbatov, Leonardo Jardim’s side crashed to a 4-1 loss.
3. Olivier Giroud is gunning for revenge
The Frenchman had a torrid time in front of goal in the first leg at the Emirates but the fact that he got himself in plenty of great scoring positions against Monaco could bode well on current form. Since that nightmare appearance, Giroud has scored in three consecutive Premier League games.
4. An English team once won big in Monaco
Only one of six English sides to visit the Stade Louis II has come away with a victory but it’s that one win that warrants attention. Leeds dispatched an arguably superior Monaco side in the UEFA Cup back in 1996, despite losing at home, with the opener in a 3-0 win scored after just three minutes.
5. Stade Louis II has not been a fortress of late
Mid-table Bastia and Rennes may have been put to the sword on home soil in recent weeks but those two results are the only wins in Monaco’s last five games at home.
Meanwhile, PSG are the most recent team to get the better of the principality club in the Coupe de France in a game played since their first-leg win over Arsenal.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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