AS Monaco vs Arsenal: Defender Gabriel fit to travel as Tomas Rosicky misses out through illness

Arsene Wenger has revealed some team news ahead of Arsenal's crucial Champions League tie against AS Monaco on Tuesday.

The Gunners face an uphill task to qualify for the last eight of the competition after putting on a poor performance in the first leg, which saw them lose 1-3 at the Emirates Stadium. They will have to score a minimum of three goals if they are to have a chance of progressing.

The French manager has delivered mixed team news ahead of the game against the Principality club. There is good news on the defensive front with Gabriel returning to action after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained against Queens Park Rangers, and the Brazilian defender has taken the place of Chuba Akpom in the squad.

Arsenal, who are without the services of midfielders Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, are also without the dynamic Tomas Rosicky, who has not travelled for the game due to illness.

"Gabriel travelled and is available. Chamberlain did not travel, Rosicky did not travel, he comes back from sickness. Gabriel replaces Apkom in the squad which was involved on Saturday against West Ham," Wenger said, as quoted on Arsenal's official site.

The Emirates Stadium outfit will have to create history to progress to the next stage of the Champions League and vice-captain Per Mertesacker wants the team to carry their domestic form into the game. He is confident that they can progress to the quarter-finals with the right effort on Tuesday night.

"We are coming out of a great week, with two important wins and we have a good level of confidence," Mertesacker said, as quoted on Arsenal's official site.

"There has always been a good mood in the squad and during the season we have responded well at times. But we have to face the truth and show a different face [on Tuesday night]."

"We need to embrace the challenge, which is really important. Monaco have a really good side, they showed that against us, but we are quite confident at the moment and want to put things right," the World Cup winning German added.