Monaco have a few issues going into Wednesday’s Champions League tie with Arsenal. At least eight first-team regulars are set to start, but there are a few doubts, which give Coach Leandro Jardim some food for thought before selecting his eleven.

Jardim will set his team up to play 4-3-3 – they will be compact in midfield and look to hit on the break.

Danijel Subasic will start in goal. The Croatian has enjoyed an excellent season so far, shaking off any thoughts that he was possibly a liability between the posts. As part of Monaco’s excellent defensive record, the 30-year-old ‘keeper has recorded 13 clean sheets in Ligue 1.

In front of him, Brazilian Fabinho will play at right-back, and next to him will be countryman Wallace and Tunisian man-mountain Aymen Abdennour. Layvin Kurzawa has been one of Monaco’s best players over the past 18 months and is someone that could cause Arsenal huge problems over the two legs; however, he has been struggling with a thigh bruise and is a slight doubt but is expected to play.

Kurzawa will be a threat down the left-flank, his strength, pace and ability to create chances with his left foot will need to be controlled by the Arsenal midfield – they need to pin him back to stifle his movement.

Jardim’s midfield trio will be missing veteran Jeremy Toulalan on Wednesday night. It is a huge blow to their chances, but they do have players to cope with his absence. Former Arsenal target Geoffrey Kondogbia has recently returned from injury and will play beside another player constantly linked with the Premier League, Joao Moutinho. However, the most dangerous member of the midfield trio is 20-year-old Bernardo Silva.

After signing his permanent deal in January, Silva has sprung up as one of Monaco’s most exciting players. He has shown quality on both ends of the pitch. Aggression and drive in the defensive areas, then bursting forward, picking passes and scoring important goals to seal three 1-0 victories.

Monaco’s biggest problem this season has been scoring goals. Dimitar Berbatov is the club’s top scorer with six goals but only two other players have scored more than twice this season. One is Silva; the other is Belgian winger Yannick Ferreira Carrasco – he is a slight doubt, but is set to play regardless – with four goals and five assists this season.

The 21-year-old winger is by far Monaco’s most dangerous player anywhere in the final third. He can make bursting runs through the middle, or drift wide and either beat you with pace or cut inside onto his lethal right-foot.

Jardim’s last big decision is who to play on the right of the front three. Anthony Martial offers youthful exuberance, pace and a threat in front of goal. Valere Germain is a hard-working front player that would help hold the ball up and bring the midfield into play, but hasn’t been used by the Portuguese recently.

Nabil Dirar seems to be the option Jardim will go with on Wednesday’s night. The winger can also play at right-back, so he will provide support to Fabinho. He has a great right-foot and his pace will definitely be an issue when Monaco try and hit on the break.

It is clear that the French side will sit back and look to frustrate the London club and there is little doubt they have the players that can execute the plan to perfection. If they can keep Arsenal out at one end, they may have a chance to spring a surprise on Wednesday night in North-London.