Arsenal go to Monaco needing to score at least three goals to stay in the Champions League after losing the last 16 home leg 3-1.
Defender Gabriel Paulista (hamstring) and Mikel Arteta (ankle) have returned from injuries, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (hamstring) and Jack Wilshere (ankle) are out.
“We have experience, the desire and belief we can do it. We want to give everything to have the greatest performance on the pitch,” Arsenal coach, Arsene Wenger said,
No team in the Champions League have ever overturned a two-goal deficit away from home in the second leg. Ajax, in 1969, were the last to achieve the feat in the European Cup.
They need to score at least three against a club who have not conceded at home in the Champions League this season and are unbeaten in 16 games at Stade Louis II in all competitions.
But Wenger, who managed Monaco from 1987 to 1994, remains confident. “If we did not believe we could do it, we would not be here. The statistics are against us. The result in the first leg is against us. We are conscious about that.
“But no matter how big the percentage (chance) is, we have to give absolutely everything to make the stats lie, that is our desire and belief that we can do it.”
Wenger has also backed France striker Olivier Giroud, who was given a 2/10 player rating by French paper L’Equipe after failing to hit the target with any of his six shots in the first leg.
The 28-year-old has scored six goals in as many domestic games. “Giroud actually owes the revenge to him. He owes a great performance for himself,” he said.
“He missed a few opportunities in the first leg, but what striker doesn’t miss an opportunity? He has the ability and the right mental level.”
Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim said that “We played a dream game, our perfect game, which is why the result ended up like this.
“However, we will approach the game the same way as all others – we are not thinking about result itself, just playing the game.
“Everyone knows this will be one of the most difficult challenges we have had for years.”
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