Arsenal v Monaco: Joao Moutinho fit for Champions League clash but Lacina Traoré is out
Monaco midfielder Joao Moutinho will be fit for the Champions League visit to Arsenal on 25 February after returning to action during the Ligue 1 side victory over Nice on 20 February.
But former Everton striker Lacina Traoré will remain on the sidelines for the last 16 first-leg tie at the Emirates Stadium, while Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, Layvin Kurzawa, Andrea Raggi, Tiemoué Bakayoko and ex-Chelsea centre-back Ricardo Carvalho are doubts.
Moutinho, one of the leaders of Leonardo Jardim's side, is a doubt for the trip to north London having missed the Coupe de France win over Rennes earlier in February due to an ankle injury.
But the Portugal international returned to training a few days ago and was able to play the full 90 minutes in the game against Nice, with Monaco securing a 1-0 victory due to Bernardo Silva's goal despite being reduced to 10 men just before half-time.
Meanwhile, the Ligue 1 side have confirmed through an official statement that Traoré will miss both games against Arsenal after undergoing an operation for a stress fracture of the right tibia, which will keep him out of action for around eight weeks.
At the same time, the club announced Kurzawa and Ferreira Carrasco "are having treatment" after picking up knocks during the victory over Nice.
"Layvin Kurzawa has bruising of the left quadriceps muscle and spent Sunday having treatment. This contusion is unconnected to the hamstring injury, which has now healed," the club said.
"Yannick Ferreira Carrasco has bruising of the right thigh after sustaining a knock during the match with Nice. He remained in treatment today."
Furthermore, Monaco are sweating over the participation of Carvalho, Raggi and Tiemoué Bakayoko as the trio are having treatment after missing the past few games.
"Ricardo Carvalho is back running again. Andrea Raggi is continuing to have treatment for a left knee sprain," the club said.
"Tiemoué Bakayoko is continuing this rehabilitation following a left thigh injury."
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