That’s all folks. Here are those previews again:
Monaco take the cut-price route and find themselves richly in profit
Arsenal need three goals to progress into the Champions League quarter-finals at the Stade Louis II, a ground where Monaco have not conceded that many in game since 2011
Arsenal determined to defy Champions League statistics in Monaco
To put it into context, the cold, harsh reality for Arsenal is that no team have ever qualified in the Champion League era after losing the home leg of a knockout tie by more than one goal and needing to score at least twice, never mind the three or more that Arsène Wenger’s men will need to stand any chance of turning their tie against Monaco upside down.
Arsenal can consign first-leg disaster to history, says Per Mertesacker
Per Mertesacker made the stark admission that Arsenal had effectively bottled the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Monaco. The 3-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium has left them with what Arsène Wenger has described as a mountain to climb and it is one that is rather steeper than the incline up to the casino here in Monte Carlo.
Kurtis Simon asks:
I overheard a very optimistic Arsenal fan talking up our chances tonight and how we will finish second (the latter I agree with). Can you remember the greatest Arsenal comeback (over two legs) you have witnessed where we’ve actually gone through? I was trying to think of one but my mind drew a blank.
Guardian staff
AD8402 asks:
Do you think Arsenal will be able to handle Moutinho?
Guardian staff He was excellent in the first leg. As was Kondogbia. They played really well.
badinvincible asks:
Will Wenger be seen as a failure if he fails to deliver any European success to Arsenal?
Guardian staff That seems a bit harsh. The one thing I would suggest is that his best Arsenal teams (1998-2004) were good enough to win something in Europe.
helmut asks:
If you had the choice, would you swap Fabregas for Özil?
Guardian staff That was never a realistic option. When Ozil was available Fabregas wasn't. When Fabregas was available, so was Sanchez. So the choice that needs making in the real world is: Fabregas or Sanchez? I love both players, and think Arsenal made the right move for them and Chelsea the right move for them. How's that for a diplomatic answer?!
Michael Morrison asks:
Do you reckon Giroud can play a pivotal role after his first-leg shocker?
Guardian staff Fascinated to see how he shapes up. He seemed very confident talking about it the other day and I have been impressed by the way he reacted to a really horrible personal experience for him with the microscope very much on him.
khoile112 asks:
Is there any opportunity for Arsenal to make a comeback?
Guardian staff Check this out. Courtesy of the Premier League's Dundee United supporting man with all the answers... http://www.arabarchive.co.uk/matchdetails.php?id=3080
goo86 asks:
How do you think Ospina has shaped up? I think he has been fantastic and the only reason other Arsenal fans are not as happy is because he is short for a goalkeeper. What do you think? Do we need a new goalkeeper?
Guardian staff
Wengerball14 asks:
Don’t you think the media went a bit overboard with the Monaco result? When looking back at it there first goal was incredibly lucky and on another day Giroud easily scores two goals? Other than that Arsenal have been excellent form. I think it was rather an incredible set of circumstances that allowed Monaco to win by that scoreline rather than them being that much better.
Guardian staff There was a big shock factor in the performance and result which explains some of the media reaction. Agree it was an all round nightmare and even slightly less of a nightmare would have seen perhaps a 2-1 loss or 3-2...
jay853 asks:
Hi Amy. Looking at the bigger picture, do you think Arsenal have regressed even after adding Sanchez, Debuchy, Chambers compared to last year when they kept up the title credentials for a lot longer in a better played league year. This year, Chelsea seem to be the best of a bad lot and Arsenal are still just top four contenders. Is it just because it’s a World Cup year or is there a deeper problem?
Guardian staff
Tom Macrae asks:
Could Arsenal ever win the Champions League with Wenger as manager?
Guardian staff
viveknest asks:
Would Arsenal go all out on attack as they need to score at least three or do you think they will take the first 20 mins to settle and then see how it goes? More importantly can they afford to play it safe?
Guardian staff They can be 0-0 at half time and it's no disaster. Two quick goals in the second half as long as they have 10 mins or so to try go get another works. Albeit this is all highly unlikely considering how strong Monaco are at the back...
JimmyMee asks:
You’ve been writing about Arsenal a long time Amy. I remember your stuff in The Gooner. If they qualify tonight, would it represent their best result in Europe under Wenger?
Guardian staff Seeing how uncommon it is to recover from this deficit in the CL, it would be a major achievement. But best? Maybe 1-0 in the Bernebeu. The 5-1 at Inter Milan is also a contender.
Wengerball14 asks:
Can you maybe shed some light on the Walcott debacle? Is it a contract struggle or does Wenger simply prefer others above him?
Guardian staff At the moment others are meriting their chance. Wenger sees them all in training and makes his judgement calls for matches on what he observes in terms of sharpness every day. Walcott looked rusty against West Ham, but he has this ability to drift through games and suddenly score so could still be a valuable asset tonight.
LaDoce asks:
Considering Arsenal’s outlay over the last two seasons, would you think the club are disappointed about their form in the Champions League?
Guardian staff Good question. Fundamentally the number one priority is just being in it. After that...? I think if they go out this time against Monaco they can be disappointed by the self inflicted nature of the first leg calamity. But should they be disappointed not to win it with quality of top teams around? Maybe not.
Peter McDonnell asks:
Hi Amy, do you think the Arsenal team under-rated Monaco as much as the media here did? And after that eye-opening defeat how tough is tonight’s match?
Guardian staff
freddiestewart asks:
If Arsenal pick up 22 points from their remaining fixtures – which seems plausible on current form – they could find themselves with an identical points tally to last season in the league, exiting the Champions League at precisely the same stage, and - perhaps - FA Cup winners once more. Does this season represent progress in any meaningful sense?
Guardian staff 1) Can we have this debate if/when it actually happens?
2) Regardless of how it ends up there has been some progress in my humble opinion in terms of not being regularly smashed away from home in the big games, the improvement of Giroud and options around him (Sanogo this time last year), and the arrival of Alexis Sanchez.
Croker asks:
Hello Amy. Has Wenger at long last laid the foundations this season for a team that can challenge for the top honours or does he start (yet) again in the summer transfer market?
Guardian staff He doesn't need to start again but he could do with strengthening in a couple of key departments with the best players he can possibly find/afford.
AlanTyndall asks:
Do you think Arsenal have benefited from Ozil’s new bulkier frame, or is his form mainly due to his enforced rest earlier in the season?
Guardian staff Hi Alan, bulky Ozil is much improved. Also perhaps a bit of second season experience going on. Wenger has said he found the first season challenging at times, but he seems more confident generally this time.
Carlb1501 asks:
Do you think that Arsenal is the strangest football club in the whole world. Win zero, nada, bugger all (not even their own Emirates Trophy) for years and years. Then win the third-ranked trophy for ‘big clubs’, get to a semi-final again (knocking out nemesis United en route) and have certain fans proclaim Wenger a genius. Honestly are these people for real. Any other ‘big club’ surely Wenger would have been down the road six or seven years ago.
Guardian staff The strangest football team in the whole world. That's probably worthy of an entire webchat. I'd love some nominations from planet football.
Amy on the Premier League teams struggling in Europe this season:
Guardian staff It could be anything couldn't it. This CL stage has had some amazing games, with Real Madrid v Schalke and Chelsea v PSG demonstrating how volatile these second legs can be.
As for the overall Premier League struggles, although I totally get the argument that it wasn't an issue when the Premier League regularly produced multiple semi-finalists and finalists, I don't think it helps having no winter break.
Alameda_Gooner asks:
Considering where we are now (coming out of the stadium debts and financial restrictions), what would it take Arsenal to reach the level of Bayern, Barcelona, REal Madrid, Manchester United with out the easy route taken by Chelsea/City/PSG etc? What is the roadmap to reach that level. Would like to know your thoughts.
Guardian staff The next step would come with unerring decisions in team strengthening (highest quality GK, another best you can get central defender, another dominating midfield screen to either play with or instead of Coquelin etc.) Refinement still needed. There has been improvement against big teams away but that still needs taking up a notch or two.
Gattuso4president asks:
Given Wenger was pretty clear he knew how Monaco would play (the lizard analogy for example), why was the first leg such an unmitigated disaster for us?
Guardian staff I am not even sure he could answer that question. It's odd how when the game has some resonance for him, the players seem to get spooked somehow. Think about that 1000th game at Chelsea, and the Monaco game was dominated with a narrative about this being the game of his career bringing together former and current club where he spent most of his career.
dannyharries asks:
Is it a risk to play Theo Walcott? His movement will get chances but can he be relied upon?
Guardian staff
imaneditor2 asks:
Why do Arsenal find themselves in this situation every year? They had to turn around a 4-0 defeat against Milan in 2012, very nearly getting the requisite miracle in Munich in 2013 and I fully expect a similarly herculean yet doomed attempt this evening. Why are they so incapable of getting their act together in the first leg?
Guardian staff That's why the first leg against Monaco was such a shocker, really. It was a classic terrible day at the office where almost everything that could go wrong did - interesting question as to whether that happened because they have some mental block based on previous CL experiences at this stage.
Shamick Patel asks:
What do you think about the idea of dropping Per and playing Gabriel (even though he’s just come back from injury) instead as Per’s lack of pace was evident in the goals we were caught out on.
Guardian staff Tried and tested Mertesacker and Koscielny probably best fitness permitting.
GeorgeOwell asks:
Which Arsenal 11 would you start with tonight?
Guardian staff Ospina; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Ramsey; Sanchez, Ozil, Cazorla; Giroud. Welbeck should get a good 30 mins as sub - he was fantastic coming on against West Ham with his pace when they were tiring.
Kenni6 asks:
How do you feel about our chances considering our recent hot streak when stacked up against Monaco’s defensive record?
Guardian staff Err, sorry about that Kenni6. Slight tehnical hitch on that last answer.
Anyway, in terms of Arsenal's scoring streak v Monaco's miserliness, the psychological element of when any goals get scored might play a part. Personally, I think if Arsenal can somehow score two goals in quick succession - however difficult - that's when Monaco could get shellshocked. But you'd have to think Monaco's powerful defence and midfield cover is a big plus for them.
MKohrman asks:
Amy, do you believe in miracles?
Guardian staff Of course, Miles. I refer you to the Jackson sisters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MYdr8Fkah0
sharri19 asks:
Do you think it’s in Arsenal’s interest to get knocked out of the competition now so we can get on with the very important business of qualifying for the competition next season?
Guardian staff Wenger is a believer in momentum. He has often said when there is a big game on the horizon that the best way to prepare for any game is to win the one before. I don't think there is anyone within the club who would see it as a disadvantage in terms of attempting to finish in the top four/go for the FA Cup to drop out of the Champions League.
21m asks:
Per Mertesacker said they weren’t mentally up for it? how so?
Guardian staff That was a very curious comment. There is no excuse for not being mentally prepared for a Champions League knock out game with quite high expectation around it. How so? It's a question I will try to follow up at a press conference one of these days.
Cleckers asks:
A couple of questions, feel free to pick and choose (or just ignore)! If you are in Monaco for the game, what is the mood in the French camp (team, journalists, fans)? I’m assuming there is a confidence there that this is in the bag. If you’re not in France, who do you think in the Arsenal team could be the one to take this game by the scruff of the neck? It would have to be a team performance but usually it is led from the front by one player having a great game. Cheers
Guardian staff Just on your first point, it's actually quite a difficult game for Monaco to approach. It is hard to get properly psyched up for a second leg when the perception is that the damage has been done in the first leg. Bayern Munich and AC Milan, with big advantages over Arsenal recently, both found it noticably difficult to find the right approach and got beaten (albeit not by quite enough to go out).
Tom Macrae asks:
Did you see the loss to Monaco as an unlucky blip with Arsenal/Giroud missing lots of chances, or another example of defensive naivety and tactical ineptness?
Guardian staff Both, Tom. Giroud's performance on the night was a big contrast to what he has shown before and after. The naivety at 2-1 was bizarre for an experienced CL team.
DennisFranz asks
Hi Amy. Let’s keep it simple and to the point to start. Will Arsenal get through?
Guardian staff Unfortunately my crystal ball is malfunctioning at the moment. I think they will give it a good go but three goals against a team renowned for their defensive strength is unlikely.
ClamBuster asks:
Considering how tight it is currently to get back into the Champions League, will Arsenal actually be bothered if they got knocked out of this years Champions League?
Guardian staff Big time. This was supposed to be the year they pressed on with a supposedly generous draw. Wenger and the players want to, as Arsene always says, 'give absolutely everything' to repair the damage done in the first leg.
Amy will be online from 1.30pm GMT to answer your questions
In the meantime, here are this week’s Champions League fixtures and some of our match previews:
Tuesday
Atlético Madrid v Bayer Leverkusen (agg 0-1)
Monaco v Arsenal (agg 3-1)
Wednesday
Barcelona v Manchester City (agg 2-1)
Borussia Dortmund v Juventus (agg 1-2)
Monaco take the cut-price route and find themselves richly in profit
Arsenal need three goals to progress into the Champions League quarter-finals at the Stade Louis II, a ground where Monaco have not conceded that many in game since 2011
Arsenal determined to defy Champions League statistics in Monaco
To put it into context, the cold, harsh reality for Arsenal is that no team have ever qualified in the Champion League era after losing the home leg of a knockout tie by more than one goal and needing to score at least twice, never mind the three or more that Arsène Wenger’s men will need to stand any chance of turning their tie against Monaco upside down.
Arsenal can consign first-leg disaster to history, says Per Mertesacker
Per Mertesacker made the stark admission that Arsenal had effectively bottled the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Monaco. The 3-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium has left them with what Arsène Wenger has described as a mountain to climb and it is one that is rather steeper than the incline up to the casino here in Monte Carlo.
Manuel Pellegrini interview with Sid Lowe
In a passionate defence of his tenure at Manchester City, Manuel Pellegrini tells Sid Lowe about the club’s long-term vision, the need to ‘respect the game and the fans’, the problem with FFP and why he is James Milner’s No1 fan
Drop your questions into the comments section below
Thanks folks for the pleasure of your company and your questions. I'm off now to think about something else for a while.
Enjoy the game tonight. *
* It's going to be nil-nil after all that, isn't it?