Monaco vs Arsenal: Gunners 'capable of winning'
There are few Champions League precedents for teams overturning a two-goal deficit, but Arsenal live in hope
History is not on the Gunners' side tonight as they look to make Monaco pay for the 3-1 humiliation they suffered at the Emirates last month.
The defeat in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 encounter was one of the most disappointing European performances in Arsene Wenger's 19-year reign as Arsenal manager, according to Jamie Redknapp.
Very few teams in the Champions League era have clawed back a two goal deficit from the first leg to go through to the next round. Throw in the fact that Monaco have not conceded three goals at home for three and a half years and the size of Arsenal's task becomes apparent.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But might history work in their favour? No one is giving the Gunners much hope and they will run out in Monaco as rank underdogs. They can play without pressure and, as they showed three years ago when they beat AC Milan 3-0 in valiantly trying to overturn a 4-0 first leg deficit, Arsenal are dangerous when they don't give a damn.
Wenger certainly had the air of a man who knows he has nothing to lose in Monaco at Monday's pre-match press conference. "The statistics are against us, the result in the first leg is against us, we are conscious about that," he said. "I'm not worried about that because the desire is there, the belief is there. Football is not predictable but I can predict that the desire and belief will be there to do well."
If anything, the pressure will be on the shoulders of the Monaco players. Man for man they have far less experience of the Champions League knockout phases than their opponents, and how will they react to the expectation from the French public and fans? Then there's also the size of their stadium. With just 18,400 seats the Stade Louis II is no cauldron to strike the fear of God into Arsenal and the visitors will be roared on by their own band of travelling fans.
Finally, there's the professional pride of the Arsenal players, most of whom were embarrassed by their performance in the first leg. No one played worse than Olivier Giroud, the French striker who's been in good touch since Christmas in the Premier League. He left his shooting boots at home against Monaco three weeks ago, but he's determined to make his compatriots suffer tonight. "If you let the doubts enter your head it's even more difficult to cope," he told reporters. "I try to show my answers on the pitch."
Asked if he'd been affected by the criticism of his display in the first leg, Giroud replied: "I'm not used to reading the media. I know when I play well or not. I know how to bounce back."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Women are getting their own baseball league again
In the Spotlight The league is on track to debut in 2026
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Giant TVs are becoming the next big retail commodity
Under the Radar Some manufacturers are introducing TVs over 8 feet long
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
When will mortgage rates finally start coming down?
The Explainer Much to potential homebuyers' chagrin, mortgage rates are still elevated
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
Talking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
By The Week UK Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Pros and cons of VAR in football
Pros and Cons String of mistakes has put new technology under the microscope
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Can Arsenal really win the Premier League title?
feature How the pundits reacted after the Gunners’ late 3-2 victory over Man Utd
By Mike Starling Published
-
Tottenham vs. Arsenal predictions: race for the Premier League top four
feature Expect a ‘seismic’ north London derby with Champions League qualification on the line
By Mike Starling Published
-
Mesut Ozil’s Arsenal exile: footballing reasons or political?
In Depth German playmaker questions the club’s loyalty after omission from the Premier League squad
By Mike Starling Published
-
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: Arsenal seal their biggest signing in years
In Depth Gunners fans and club legends celebrate the skipper’s new three-year deal
By Mike Starling Published
-
Premier League 2020-21 predictions and odds: champions, top four, relegation
The Week Recommends A look at what the football media has to say ahead of the new season
By Mike Starling Published