Arsenal face hard task in Champions League against Monaco
Despite being 3-1 down from the first leg, the Gunners are still narrow favourites with Coral at 5/4 to beat Monaco in 90 minutes, though the real value is in their 5/1 price to progress to the quarter-finals.
Following their defeat to Monaco, Arsenal have gone on a run of four straight wins, including the 2-1 triumph over fierce rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup. Last time out, they recorded a comprehensive victory against West Ham, with Oliver Giroud scoring in consecutive Premier League games, equating to a record of three in three.
Odds of 7/4 to net anytime are decent value, as are 6/1 first scorer odds. Opposite number Dimitar Berbatov was arguably the stand-out player from his team’s win at the Emirates, getting the second goal and making a handful of himself all match. The Bulgarian former Manchester United centre forward is 7/4 to strike anytime.
There is no doubt that the north London outfit have the talent to progress, though it just depends which Arsenal turns up. They have pace to scare any team in Danny Welbeck, Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez, and the former, who was the hero against United, is a decent 2/1 price to net anytime and add to his three goal tally in the Champions League this term.
Sanchez, meanwhile, also has three in the competition, as well as 19 in all competitions this campaign, so odds of 15/8 in the same market, could be deemed generous. Walcott, gradually returning to full fitness, will be a considerable threat, and is 7/1 to break the deadlock.
Santi Cazorla, however, has been one of the Gunners’ stand-out players since the start of the year, also showing he is capable from the penalty spot, and if Arsenal are at their tricky best in and around the area, the hosts could be culpable in mistiming challenges. The Spaniard rarely misses, and is 7/2 to notch anytime.
For the hosts, they will have to decide whether they go for the win, or try and withstand the inevitable Gunners’ barrage. In Geoffrey Kondogbia, who scored in the first leg (and 6/1 to do so again anytime), Joao Moutinho and Jeremy Toulalan they have a competent midfield screen, though they will have to be at their best to resist Arsenal.
