Arsene Wenger has rated Arsenal with a 50-50 chance of eliminating AS Monaco en route to qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The Gunners welcome their French counterparts to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday for the first leg of their last-16 clash.

Wenger's side were considered fortunate to draw the Ligue 1 giants, having avoided the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

However, the Frenchman, who spent seven years in charge of the Principality club, has warned that there is no room for complacency if his troops are to advance into the next round.

"The last 16 in recent years has been super tough," he told the club's official website.

"This is a 50-50 game. We know that Monaco are very tight defensively - they didn't concede in the group stage against good teams.

"Of course it will be tricky but a possible tie. It's really a 50-50 because Monaco are in a similar position to us. They came back into a good position in the league and their confidence level will be high."

Arsenal travel to Stade Louis II for the second leg on March 17.