Arsenal will face a determined AS Monaco side in the Champions League on Wednesday, with the Ligue 1 team buoyed by a 2-0 victory over Toulouse.
Despite injury setbacks to key midfielders Denis Zakaria and Soungoutou Magassa, Monaco delivered a disciplined performance, reclaiming second place in Ligue 1 and building momentum ahead of their trip to the Emirates Stadium.
After the game, Monaco manager Adi Hütter acknowledged the challenges posed by the injuries but expressed satisfaction with his team’s resilience.
Zakaria, who captains the side, suffered a hamstring injury during the warm-up and had to be replaced by Eliot Matazo. The 21-year-old Belgian, who had played only 22 minutes this season before this match, stepped up admirably in a midfield that had been stretched thin.
“Zaki got injured again,” Hütter said. “He felt something in his hamstring and we preferred not to take any chances. I’m a little worried. I had these kind of injuries a lot when I was a player, I have a little bit of this experience. We’ll see with the MRI tomorrow, I can’t say much more for now.
“Congratulations to Eliott Matazo who played in his place and had a very decent match,” concluded Hütter.
Hütter also praised his side’s “serious and mature” approach to the game, which saw Monaco dominate possession and limit Toulouse to just three shots on target.
The victory was secured through goals from Wilfried Singo and Breel Embolo.
Singo, a standout performer in defence, opened the scoring in the 50th minute with a precise header from Mohamed Camara’s free-kick.
Embolo sealed the result in the 82nd minute after capitalising on a defensive miscue by Toulouse’s Joe Cresswell. The Swiss forward’s contribution was particularly significant, marking a potential return to form after a period of inconsistency. “This goal symbolises determination,” Embolo said post-match.
Arsenal will not take Monaco lightly. While the Gunners are in strong form and have a superior squad on paper, manager Mikel Arteta will be mindful of Monaco’s counter-attacking threat and recent defensive solidity.
Adi Hütter, while realistic about the difficulty of the task, stressed his team’s intent to compete. “We know Arsenal are one of the best teams in the world,” he said. “But we cannot simply rely on a low block. We’ll have to defend intelligently and use our opportunities.”
Monaco’s win comes after back-to-back defeats in Ligue 1 had raised questions about their mentality in high-pressure situations. The Toulouse victory, however, highlighted their depth and adaptability. While Zakaria’s absence is a significant blow, Matazo’s encouraging performance provides some hope for Hütter’s plans.
For Arsenal, Monaco’s injuries may appear to tilt the odds further in their favour. Yet, as Hütter’s side demonstrated in Toulouse, they are capable of crafting results while stretched. Arsenal will need to remain vigilant, especially against Monaco’s set-piece threat, which was highlighted by Singo’s opener.
The Ligue 1 team’s ability to capitalise on defensive errors was another reminder of their opportunism, a factor Arteta will need to prepare for thoroughly, especially with William Sailba recently pointing to failings in Arsenal’s defence.
While Arsenal’s attack boasts quality and depth, led by the likes of Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz, Monaco’s defensive discipline could make this a closer contest than many anticipate, according to pundits in France.
The Emirates Stadium will provide the stage for what promises to be a fascinating tactical battle. Arsenal’s quality and Monaco’s resilience set the tone for an encounter that could have significant implications for both sides in the competition.
