Monaco midfielder Jeremy Toulalan believes his side’s chances of defeating Arsenal in the last-16 of the Champions League are “50/50”.
The French Ligue 1 outfit were paired against former boss Arsene Wenger’s Gunners in Monday’s draw in Nyon, Switzerland, with a trip to the Emirates Stadium on February 25 followed by a second leg in the Principality on March 17.
Leonardo Jarim’s side booked their place in the knockout rounds of the competition by topping Group C ahead of Bayer Leverkusen with three wins and two draws from their six matches.
Arsenal had to settle for second spot behind Borussia Dortmund in Group D, but picked up one more point than Monaco which suggests both sides will be fairly evenly matched in the two-legged tie.
Monaco have a slight psychological edge as they defeated Arsenal in a pre-season tournament, but Toulalan believes the outcome of their Champions League showdown will be too close to call.
“We did well against them in pre-season, though this will be a completely different challenge,” he said. “For me, we have a 50/50 chance.
“It’ll make Arsene Wenger happy, I think, to come back here, as well as the French players in the squad.”
Arsenal are 1.42 to advance to the quarter-finals of the Champions League while Monaco can be backed at 2.92.
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