Monaco's academy talents lead them into Arsenal Champions League showdown
Monaco approaches the Champions League match against Arsenal on Wednesday with a strong start to the season, both domestically and in European competition.
This success is largely attributed to the emergence of promising talents from the club's academy, namely Eliesse Ben Seghir and Maghnes Akliouche.
Historically, the principality club has produced exceptional players such as Thierry Henry and Kylian Mbappe, both of whom achieved World Cup glory with the French national team.
Ben Seghir and Akliouche, both wingers in Adi Huetter's squad, exhibit similarities to these illustrious predecessors. Currently, Monaco occupies third place in Ligue 1, trailing leaders Paris Saint-Germain by five points.
In the Champions League, they are positioned eighth, on track to secure a place in the last 16 as they prepare for a challenging away match in London.
Monaco commenced their European journey with an impressive 2-1 victory over Barcelona at home, where Akliouche scored the opening goal, contributing to his total of four goals this season.
Ben Seghir leads the team with five goals, showcasing the squad's ability to adapt following the departure of their former captain, Wissam Ben Yedder, who left the club amid legal issues and the expiration of his contract.
Reflecting on his experience at Monaco, Ben Seghir expressed to reporters , "It inspires hope and indicates that the club is performing well." He emphasized the importance of believing in the club's vision and committing fully to achieving success.
At just 19 years old, Ben Seghir made a remarkable Ligue 1 debut nearly two years ago, scoring two goals against Auxerre shortly after the conclusion of the 2022 World Cup.
He operates either on the left wing or in a position just behind the central forward, while the 22-year-old Akliouche occupies the right flank.
Both players are contracted until 2027 and 2028, respectively; however, Monaco may find it challenging to retain their services beyond this season if their current performances continue.
Ben Seghir, hailing from the luxurious Mediterranean resort of Saint-Tropez, has opted to represent Morocco at the senior international level and is regarded as a player with traditional skills.
"I grew up idolizing players like Neymar, who brings joy to fans, and I strive to emulate that," he stated to UEFA.
"He is a player who excels in dribbling, scoring, assisting, and supporting his teammates," Ben Seghir remarked, also referring to his international teammate Achraf Hakimi as "like a big brother to me."
Akliouche, originally from the suburbs of Paris and of Algerian descent, is reportedly on the verge of joining the full French national team.
France's coach Didier Deschamps, who managed Monaco two decades ago, is conveniently located on the Cote d'Azur, allowing him easy access to observe the talented winger in action.
"For me, he is an international-class player," Huetter recently commented about Akliouche, who played for Henry's France team at this year's Olympics, scoring in the final as Les Bleus secured a silver medal after losing to Spain.
"Honestly, I am not focused on that. I am simply living in the moment," Akliouche recently stated regarding his prospects with France.
The current focus is on the upcoming match against Henry's former club Arsenal, who are tied on points with Monaco in the Champions League standings as the competition for knockout phase qualification intensifies.
SportsLigue