How did both sides fare in the group stages of the Champions League?
Arsenal were drawn with AS Monaco in the last 16 of the Champions League, a surprise tie for the Gunners who were expected to face a European giant after they, yet again, failed to secure top spot in their group.
However, Arsene Wenger’s side have got off lightly this season with a relatively easy looking tie against struggling Ligue 1 side AS Monaco. The north London side are expected to qualify to the quarter finals at a canter.
But is this perception actually backed up by the stats? CaughtOffside takes a look at the key stats of each side during the group stage of the competition:
Shots Per Game: Arsenal 11.7 – Monaco 9.3
Perhaps a surprising stat for the French side considering they only managed four goals in total in the group stages. whilst Arsenal’s higher rating shows just why they scored in five of their six ties.
Possession: Arsenal 54.2% – Monaco 45.7%
As you’d expect with an Arsene Wenger side, Arsenal have on average had the majority of possession in their six group stage matches. Monaco meanwhile conceded the majority of possession in their matches against Bayer Leverkusen; winning both matches through their counter attacking style.
Goals Conceded: Arsenal 8 – Monaco 1
Perhaps the most encouraging stat for Monaco coming into this match will be that they’ve only conceded one goal in six group stage games.
Arsenal meanwhile failed to keep a clean sheet in five of their six Champions League ties, conceding on average more than one goal a game – the peak being their 3-3 collapse against Anderlecht.
Goals Scored: Arsenal 15 – Monaco 4
The most surprising stat for Monaco is that despite just four goals scored they managed to win their group. Perhaps it reveals a lack of finesse in front of goal for the French side but the fact they were able to still qualify demonstrates just what a resolute defence the side from the Principality have.
Arsenal meanwhile demonstrated their typical attacking flair with new boy Danny Welbeck a feature in the group stages, scoring his first hat-trick for the Gunners in their 4-1 route of Galatasaray.
Best Player:
Monaco – Yannick Ferreira Carrasco
The young Belgian recently signed a new contract in Monaco and the French side will be happy to have pinned down the 20 year old to a new deal after some impressive performances in the Champions League group stage including an assist for Abdennour against Zenit St. Petersburg to ensure Monaco’s first place qualification.
Arsenal – Alexis Sanchez
Arsenal’s main man began in quest for European glory with the Gunners by scoring the decisive goal against Besiktas to allow Arsenal to qualify for the group stages of the competition.
The Chilean ended up scoring three goals in the six group games including sumptuous strikes against Anderlecht and Borussia Dortmund whilst grabbing an assist against Galatasaray. He’ll be a key man if they wish to progress beyond the round of 16.
Statistics sourced from below: