Arsenal are searching for their first last-16 win in four years.
Arsenal take on Monaco in the Champions League knockout stages, having been granted a favourable tie considering the level of oppositions the Gunners have faced in recent years.
The likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona – both in consecutive seasons – and also AC Milan have eliminated Arsenal at the first knockout stage.
Arsene Wenger has inevitably issued caution and reassured that his team will aim to produce a top level performance, but one cannot help but feel that this is a crucial opportunity for Arsenal.
Here is how the Gunners are expected to line-up…
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GK) David Ospina
Wenger has declared the Colombian fit and there is no reason why Ospina shouldn’t keep his place in the side.
RB) Hector Bellerin
Calum Chambers started in the position at the weekend but that was as a result of an anticipation of Crystal Palace’s height and Bellerin struggling with an ankle knock. If fully fit, the Spaniard gets the nod.
CB) Per Mertesacker
Arsenal’s vice-captain has resumed his leadership role and form, a little rest and being reunited with partner Koscielny is the reason behind that.
CB) Laurent Koscielny
The club’s best centre back, Olivier Giroud says the team is more calm when he is there and that is evident.
LB) Nacho Monreal
Monreal continues his consistent performances which have kept Kieran Gibbs out of the side since the turn of the year.
DM) Francis Coquelin
Another player completely changing people’s opinion on him and is Arsenal’s bonafide first choice in the holding midfield positions.
CM) Santi Cazorla
His move central and in a deeper position has resulted in a reinvention of Cazorla into an all action midfielder. His defensive solidity has allowed Wenger to move Mesut Ozil central.
CAM) Mesut Ozil
Arsenal’s creator in chief, Ozil has put in some marvellous performances of late and will no doubt be aiming to make up for lost time in this competition.
AMR) Theo Walcott
Danny Welbeck has been favoured in recent weeks but Wenger will be looking to gain some authority before the second leg and Walcott is capable of tearing the French side to shreds.
AML) Alexis Sanchez
Fully recovered from his injury problems, Arsenal’s superstar will certainly be looking to fire his team into the quarter-finals for the first time in four years.
CF) Olivier Giroud
The in-form Frenchman scored his 50th goal for Arsenal at the weekend to illustrate his rapid rise to becoming a top level European striker.