Arsenal can take a major step toward breaking into the Champions League’s top eight with victory over Monaco at the Emirates tonight.
The Gunners start the evening 12th with 10 points from five games, but with a match in hand on several rivals, three points could lift them as high as second.
Mikel Arteta’s defensive options remain stretched. Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Riccardo Calafiori, and Oleksandr Zinchenko are still sidelined, all having missed the 1-1 draw at Fulham.
Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey were doubts after missing training, but both made the squad. Partey starts at right-back, while Timber settles for a bench role. In a bold move, 18-year-old Miles Lewis-Skelly earns his first Champions League start at left-back.
William Saliba again partners Jacob Kiwior at centre-half in Gabriel’s absence. Mikel Merino returns to the starting XI in midfield, pushing Jorginho to the bench. Declan Rice could operate in a deeper role with Martin Odegaard providing forward thrust.
Only Bukayo Saka remains from the front three that faced Fulham. He takes his familiar right-wing spot, while Gabriel Martinelli replaces Leandro Trossard on the left. Gabriel Jesus is preferred to Kai Havertz up top, seeking a spark in attack.
On the bench, Raheem Sterling and teenager Ethan Nwaneri are among Arteta’s attacking alternatives.
Arsenal XI: Raya, Partey, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Merino, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Jesus.
Subs: Neto, Setford, Timber, Tierney, Robinson, Heaven, Monlouis, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Trossard, Sterling, Havertz.
Monaco XI: Majecki, Vanderson, Kehrer, Ben Seghir, Golovin, Akliouche, Caio, Camara, Salisu, Embolo, Magassa.
Subs: Lienard, Kohn, Teze, Ouattara, Nibombe, Minamino, Matazo, Michal, Ilenikhena, Tincres.