Arsenal 1-3 Monaco - reaction

1. Kondogbia opens scoring with deflected strike
2. Former Spurs man Berbatov finishes swift break
3. Oxlade-Chamberlain gives hope with long-range strike close to FT
4. But Ferreira-Carrasco then strikes in injury-time - after another Monaco counter attack
5. Get involved: What do you think of Arsenal's performance?

Well, it has been a miserable couple of days for Premier League sides in the Champions League.

Are Chelsea the only domestic hope of success in Europe's premier club competition? Or have we got a surprise or two in store when the second leg fixtures come round?

Those get under way on the 17 and 18 March so until then, goodbye.

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Amy Lawrence, football reporter for The Guardian: "Now the Wenger Dilemma becomes the story again. It ebbs and flows over the course of the season, and it's a vulnerable situation for the club. Now everyone is asking everyone whether you are for Wenger or against Wenger. And that's a destabilising situation."

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Justin in London: Absolutely embarrassed to be an Arsenal fan tonight. Shocking heartless display from the players.

Harvey from Hull: Wenger needs to leave at the end of the season for his own good, or after all these poor performances people will start to forget all the good he did for the club.

Adeel in Leamington Spa: All the boo-boys can do one. We will still get through.

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Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

5 live Sport

"Arsene is like family. I worked with him. I believe in Arsene Wenger, and he needs to be given the time. He's got two years and he knows the rules - if he's losing the reflexes then you have to walk out the door. Let's not look at the next man, but look at what Wenger brings. And we're all willing him to turn this around.

"The weekend will tell us a lot about the players, the fans, but in particular the manager. Sunday couldn't come quick enough for Arsenal for them to try and get this back on the road."

Reaction

Uefa.com

Prince Albert of Monaco was at the game and joined in the celebrations.

"I never thought I would see this scoreline here. But it's deserved," he told Uefa.com. "A draw would have been great for us. Before the game I met Arsene and asked him to be kind to us. I'm sort of sad for him, for us to have stolen the show."

"The task is massive now."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been speaking to Sky Sports and, when asked where things when wrong tonight, he simply responds "a little bit everywhere".

"A horrible night but congratulations to Monaco they defended very well and caught us on the break," he says.

"We controlled the game quite well, with their first shot on goal they scored. Everything went for them tonight but you see why they did well in the group stage. They didn't weaken throughout but we did.

"The task is massive now. The third goal makes it even more difficult. We will have a go of course.

"It's very, very disappointing but Champions League is down to performance on the day and when you don't perform at the level requested for 90 minutes you are punished. We knew they absorb you and get you on the break, what happened is exactly that."

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

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"Wenger is on it. He is in touch 100% with his team and how they emotionally collapsed in the game. They were unprofessional in their youthful exuberance, and they lost it.

"It's one thing to identify the problems but it's another thing to make the necessary changes. Big decisions have got to be made, but he loves every player and treats every player like hi son. But he's got to be ruthless for the benefit of the team. Arsenal were so intent on winning it that they ended up losing it."

Manager reaction

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: "The third goal makes our task extremely difficult in the second leg. It looks like we lost our nerve and our rationality on the pitch. The heart took over the head and that doesn't work. Mentally we were not sharp enough to get into the game, and we paid for it.

"In the first 20 minutes we could have won the game, but Monaco are strong physically. We missed our chances - look at the number we missed tonight. At that level we cannot afford to do that.

"I hope my players were not complacent, but it looks when you are lacking sharpness that anything is possible. Football is not on paper, it's down to your performance. On the night Monaco produced a performance and we didn't.

"Giroud had an off night tonight and he missed easy chances. It looked like it was not one of his best days."

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Read chief football writer Phil McNulty's full report on Arsenal's defeat to Monaco.

History not on Arsenal's side

Can Arsenal turn things around in the second leg? It would be some achievement if they do. No team has lost a European Cup/Champions League first-leg knockout tie at home by two goals and progressed to the next round since Ajax in 1969. Ouch.

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Michael Wechie: Arsene Wenger got it wrong right from the line-up, even before the match begun.

Kavit Gada: Sack Wenger now! There's still time to save our season and turn this horrendous result around.

Seany Ekon: Gutted for Wenger. Embarrassing for him to lose a French team.

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The stats

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Harry Hopwood: Not sure if this has been mentioned already, but how tall was the ref!?!

Deniz Aytekin of Germany. 6'5". Only 36 years old. Just an inch shorter than Per Mertesacker.

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Amy Lawrence, football reporter for The Guardian: "Arsene Wenger knows Monaco very well because he follows French football intimately and knows Monaco very well. He wanted a cautious start. In recent years, Arsenal have conceded early at home in the Champions League and it undoes them. And here we are again. Wenger is desperate to break the curse, the pattern, but it was a catastrophe tonight."

Player reaction

Monaco midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, speaking on Uefa.com: "We're not surprised. We know our capacities. We knew that we had to be at 200% to have a chance. We prepared for this game well. We knew we could do it if we had few chances.

"It's true we didn't expect to win with a two-goal gap. My goal, I knew before receiving the ball from Joao that I would try my luck."

A not-so perfect reunion

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

5 live Sport

"The team is not professional enough. They get too caught up in the moment, and they cannot afford to react to games like that. They need to be professional and to step away from the emotion of it all.

"This game won't be addressed inside the camp until tomorrow. There is nothing to be gained by Wenger letting off steam in the dressing room tonight. He has a great deal of self-control and I have never seen him lose the plot. I saw him kick something once and then walk off. He will rebalance and come back, though he might not sleep well tonight."

An easy draw?

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Julien Laurens, French football reporter: "Everbody in France will be surprised right now. Monaco's work ethic was wonderful and tactically they were spot-on. They are so strong defensively. I just cannot believe Arsenal did not test the two young fullbacks and did not put more pressure on the whole defence.

"There is a second leg and all this could be different, but this is one of the biggest results for a French team in the history of the Champions League. This is as good a performance from Monaco as it was a bad one from Arsenal."

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

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Reuters

"Arsene Wenger will reflect on this result and he will not be giving up on this tie. He will probably be feeling embarrassed because he's a proud Frenchman. This will hurt to the core tonight, but he will come back fighting. So don't discount Arsenal.

"But this might help Wenger find a better balance with his team, because his balance tonight was not right. Wenger will be given time, be given two more years to make this work, and I can tell you he will not be giving up."

"It's OK to go out to a Bayern or an AC Milan, but to a Monaco? There are different sorts of questions Arsene Wenger will have to answer."

It might have been a little bit different if Olivier Giroud had popped his shooting boots on.

The striker had six shots tonight, the most he has ever recorded in a Champions League game. That's good. All six, though, were off target. That's not so good.

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Martin in East Grinstead: No excuses for us. This is punishment for challenging for fourth every consecutive season and not for the Premier League title.

Monique: Days like these make it so difficult to be and Arsenal fan. Absolute shambles from start to finish.

Marcus from Newport Pagnell: Martin Keown mentioned something about character after the Oxlade-Chamberlain goal. That's the Arsenal character we all know and love, zero bottle on a big night.

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A bad week for English teams...

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No English team has won the first leg of their Champions League tie, what does it say about the Premier League?

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Player reaction

Reuters

Monaco striker Dimitar Berbatov reacts on Sky Sports: "We are confident in our ability so honestly we deserved to win. We scored our chances and in the end it's a great win for us. It's not over, we have one more game in Monaco and Arsenal are a great team.

"We are good. Arsenal is a good team but today probably we wanted the win more than them, We fought all over the pitch, won our challenges and scored the goals.

"In a team like Arsenal I don't think they can allow themselves to underestimate our team today but if they did then it's up to them."

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

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"On the break Arsenal were continually picked off. Tonight, Ozil and Cazorla were too interested in getting forward - they needed a Viera or Petit. But boy, weren't Arsenal dismantled by a very impressive Monaco team."

PA

Prior to today, Arsenal had not conceded a single goal at the Emirates in three Champions League games against French opposition. What went wrong Arsenal fans?

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Jamie Mills O'Brien: At the Emirates. Just witnessed what must be the most abject performance from an English team in Europe in many, many years.

Marvic Cordina: Arsenal swept away by simple counter attacking football. Monaco should be proud!

Aashish: If this result doesn't result in Arsene contemplating retirement, nothing will.

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FULL-TIME

In the other Champions League last-16 game tonight, Hakan Calhanoglu's strike gives Bayer Leverkusen a 1-0 victory against last year's finalists Atletico Madrid.

Atletico had Tiago sent off and had a Fernando Torres goal ruled out as they suffered only their second defeat in their last 10 knockout matches.

Championship full-time

It is all over in the only Championship fixture tonight as Nottingham Forest continue their impressive run under new boss Dougie Freedman, beating Bournemouth 2-1.

The Cherries remain fourth while Forest are ninth.

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

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"The British media will dissect Arsenal, but in France they will be glowing about how strong Monaco were and how well organised they were from the start. They picked Arsenal's pockets.

"Berbatov was outstanding - who said he was finished? Everybody in the team contributed massively. Look what Monaco did at the back. Arsenal were obsessed with going down the middle, and there was no variation. They kept driving at Monaco, right into their hands."

What a task ahead for Arsenal. They need to go to Monaco and score three goals to have a chance of progressing. The problem? Monaco have not conceded three goals in a single game at home all season...

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Emirates Stadium

"Hammer blow does not cover that. After grasping at a flimsy lifeline Arsenal still managed to concede another goal in typical fashion - possession conceded cheaply, all caught forward and Per Mertesacker too slow to make a recovery.

"Arsenal looked to have been handed a favourable draw compared to other Premier League teams but this was a staggeringly inept display."

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

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Reuters

"I'm absolutely stunned. That's as good performance from Monaco as I've ever seen anyone come here and deliver in the Champions League. They were so robust in defence and had so much speed on the break. Oxlade-Chamberlain looked like he was carrying the fight for Arsenal but that sucker punch at the death has sent Wenger storming off down the tunnel."

FULL-TIME

All over and a cruel finish for Arsenal as they concede that late third which probably does enough to send Monaco into the quarter-finals.

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

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Empics

"Absolutely stunning. Arsenal guilty of such exuberance, giving the ball away and being punished yet again on the break. Ospina should have saved that, but what a run from Ferreira-Carrasco. Arsenal guilty of such naivety."

GOAL

Reuters

Ah the jubilation is short-lived as Arsenal are hit while they try to grab a late equaliser. Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco racing through after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gives the ball away and he finishes emphatically. Silence around the ground.

YELLOW CARD

Joao Moutinho picks up a yellow card for Monaco. Is there enough time for Arsenal to grab a late equaliser? Two minutes of injury time left.

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

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Reuters

"Oxlade-Chamberlain took the ball on the edge of the box, had presence of mind, steadied himself and bent it into the corner. What a fantastic finish. That's what Arsenal need, that sort of personality and character. That's when character is shaped, on nights like tonight."

GOAL

PA

Just what Arsenal need! They snatch a late, late goal as a clearing header is pounced on by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and he curls a fine effort into the top corner from the edge of the area. A lifeline.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain tries to get into the Monaco area again but runs inot a wall of players. Monaco then take advantage of the Gunners pushing players up to support attacks as Yannick Ferreira-Carrassco races away on the counter, but his shot lacks conviction.

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

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"If it stays like this, this will be one of Arsene Wenger's most disappointing nights in the Champions League. It's against his former club and there was such expectancy on Arsenal tonight. They were expected to win this comfortably. Such a turnaround.

"Now, Arsenal will be fighting to remain in this competition. We started the evening asking whether Arsenal would be an outside bet to win this Champions League. Now it's the reverse.

"It will be a big test for Wenger to get belief back into this group to see if they can get something in Monaco in the second leg. It would be one of his best ever results if Arsenal get through to the next round."

YELLOW CARD

Mesut Ozil concedes a throw and his visible exasperation at the decision earns him a booking. Frustrations are starting to bubble over.

Another corner for Arsenal and it is wasteful again as Mesut Ozil bends it too close to Danijel Subasic, who gets enough of a touch to get the ball clear.

SUBSTITUTION

Monaco wind down the clock further with another change as the excellent Anthony Martial is replaced by Bernando Silva for the final few minutes.

AP

The story of Arsenal's game as Mesut Ozil's corner goes all the way through to the unmarked Alexis Sanchez, but his snapshot is wide.

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Alex Maguire: If the players can't perform for Wenger in the big games then board seriously have to ask themselves, have we got the right man?

Kevin MacDonagh: The hierarchy at Arsenal seem content with fourth place and early Champions League exit every year. Wenger should have gone years ago.

Nick Uta: The Wenger hatchet jobs are starting. 90 minutes ago everyone was talking up the formation...

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SUBSTITUTION

A change for both sides as the game enters the closing stages. Tomas Rosicky replaces Santi Cazorla, who had faded in the second half, for Arsenal while Nabil Dirar is replaced by Layvin Kurzawa for Monaco.

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Emirates Stadium

AFP

"Arsenal's fans trying to urge one last big effort from their players to at least get something from what has been a nightmare Champions League tie so far. Joao Moutinho was a player much coveted by many Premier League clubs during his time at Sporting Lisbon and Porto before his move to Monaco - and it is easy to see why as he has kept things ticking over and shown some sublime touches."

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

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"Arsenal keep trying to play out from the back. The next goal in this game is important, but there is still a lot of football to be played. Get it back to 2-1 and there's something to go at. But the Gunners are panicking and seem to have lost their way.

"And this is a perfect performance from Monaco. They absorb all the pressure then break on the counter-attack. First class."

Two-goals down and less than 15 minutes to go and there is still very little urgency about Arsenal's attacks. They are too slow to get the ball forward.

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

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"Berbatov's all-round performance was first class. He took his sweet time coming off. He is still capable of making an impact at the highest possible level."

SUBSTITUTION

AP

Monaco make their first change as Dimitar Berbatov is withdrawn. The striker hardly put in the shift of his life but his only touch resulted in the second goal. Job done. On comes pacey winger Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco.

YELLOW CARD

AFP

Chants of encouragement from the home crowd as they try to will their players forward. It almost works as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain runs at the defence and gets into the area, but his cross is hacked away by a Monaco defender and the visitors break again through Anthony Martial, who is fouled by Hector Bellerin. Yellow card.

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Jamie in Lincoln: Can Arsenal make a sub now? Take Wenger off. He's managing terribly.

Ajay from London: Is Ozil playing tonight?

Simon in High Wycombe: Arsenal are just not winners. In Arsene we rust.

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Desperately nervy stuff at times from Arsenal as this game looks to be running away from them. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, in central midfield, makes a poor contact with the ball and succeeds in gifting possession to Joao Moutinho, who breaks into the area but Oxlade-Chamberlain recovers well to get the block in.

SUBSTITUTION

Arsene Wenger does not want to risk going down to 10 men as he takes off Francis Coquelin, on a yellow card, and brings on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who slots into midfield.

What do you think?

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Perhaps not surprisingly, way up on the list of discussion points is Arsenal's performance tonight.

CLOSE!

Theo Walcott's arrival into the game almost has the desired impact as he breaks into the Monaco area from the right, feeds the ball into the path of Danny Welbeck but his goal-bound shot strikes the unfortunate Walcott.

Goal

Reuters

Over in Germany, a sensational strike from Hakan Calhanoglu has given Bayer a deserved lead against last year's finalists Atletico. It looked as though the chance had gone as Karim Bellerabi dallied on the ball in the penalty area after a driving run. But, just when the chance appeared gone, he back heeled into the path of Calhanoglu, who unleashed a bullet into the top corner from an angle.

Follow the action from the BayArena live here.

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Can Arsenal add their name to the above list with the number one in a bracket? It is not looking likely at the moment. A textbook away performance by Monaco, a dismal home display by Arsenal...

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Pasa Mustafa: Sacrebleu, this is disgraceful.

Neil Stone: Don't worry Arsenal fans. Wenger will guide you to fourth again and all will be well in the world of crushing mediocrity.

Ramesh Kunwar: What's wrong with English Premier League? Yesterday it was Man City, today Arsenal.

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GREAT SAVE!

Monaco are showboating now as Joao Moutinho cleverly flicks the ball with the back of his foot into the path of Anthony Martial, who is racing into the Arsenal area, he has a clear sight of goal but David Ospina is quick off his line to close down the gap and deflect the ball behind.

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

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"Monaco have been perfect in their performance. Their defence is resolute and their midfield has been very mobile. They are mopping everything up in the middle of the park."

SUBSTITUTION

AP

Olivier Giroud pays the price for missing a number of chances as he is replaced by Theo Walcott. Arsenal lose the focal point of their attacks, but gain some welcome pace.

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

5 live Sport

"In all honesty you have to feel for Giroud, because that was a tap-in. It landed on his right foot, unfortunately for him, and he skied it. I'd consider taking him off."

What a miss

Oh my word. What a miss by Oliver Giroud as Alexis Sanchez's drive is parried into the path of the striker by Danijel Subasic and it should be 2-1, but he somehow smashes high over with the goal at his mercy. This is just not going to be Arsenal's night.

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Emirates Stadium

AFP

"We've seen it before and now we've seen it again. Arsenal have been caught out hopelessly upfield on the break as Monaco sweep forward and Dimitar Berbatov adds the second. Absolutely criminal to be undone like that at this stage of the game - hardly panic stations yet but so many in Monaco's half and barely anyone minding the shop at the back. What a battle Arsenal face now."

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Samuel Harper: There's always the FA Cup, Arsenal...

Will Brookes: At least if it was Munich or Madrid you could accept the humiliation. And so our annual February collapse begins...

Jonny Walker: I think that Arsenal have underestimated their opponents tonight, what with all the talk that they were lucky with the draw.

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Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

5 live Sport

Reuters

"What a move from Monaco on the break. A lovely ball into Berbatov's path and he thunders his effort into the back of the net. He may drive to training in a Ferrari and go home to his deck chair but he was purring across the ground there. I take it all back - he's punished Arsenal tonight."

GOAL

Reuters

Shocking, shock defending by Arsenal as Monaco double their lead and it has to be that man Dimitar Berbartov. It comes after an Arsenal attack breaks down and Monaco counter quickly. Per Mertesacker ventures forward and leaves Anthony Martial in acres of space and he passes to Berbatov, who fires into the top corner. What was Mertesacker doing?

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Mungo Russell: Games like these that show why Arsenal haven't won the premier league in over 10 years. No steel, too many players out the game.

Matt Williams: Not enough credit is being given to Monaco. Unsettled the crowd, solid defence, grabbed a goal. The perfect away performance.

Fore Left: People forget Monaco have let one Champions League goal in this season and won their group. This is a tough game.

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The crowd respond to Arsenal's increase in tempo with a few chants of "come on Arsenal". There are chances to be had if Arsenal run at the Monaco defence, which Hector Bellerin does to get away down the right, but he plays the ball behind Olivier Giroud inside the away area.

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

5 live Sport

PA

"Giroud really should be doing better - the ball has hit his standing foot. There is a look of anguish on his face. He knows he should be doing better."

CLOSE!

This is what Arsenal fans want to see! The Gunners are straight on the offensive as Alexis Sanchez breezes forward, weaving his way through the Monaco defence before cutting the ball back to Olivier Giroud at the near post, but he pokes his shot just wide.

KICK-OFF

Just looking back over Monaco's results this season and I make it they have conceded just two goals in their last 13 games in all competitions. Tough task ahead for Arsenal.

Can they respond? The second half is under way.

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

5 live Sport

"Ozil has not quite been in the game and Welbeck has drifted out. The Monaco goal was just a lucky strike, a punt from 30 yards. But I think Monaco deserve it because of the quality they've shown defensively. Monaco will now be buzzing in the second half, but they know Arsenal will come at them."

OptaJoe

Dimitar Berbatov may be Monaco's top goalscorer but he has not looked likely to add to his seven goals tonight, having never got near the Arsenal area in the first half.

In fact, the only Monaco player to have touched the ball in the Gunners' box was Joao Mountiho, with their only shot on target Geoffrey Kondogbia's long range strike. That resulted in the opening goal, though, and that is all that matters as far as the visitors are concerned.

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James: As a Manchester United fan, although we're playing badly right now, you only have to watch Arsenal to feel better...

Eoin from London: So far, really poor from Arsenal. Very wasteful. Need more pace, and I think the Gods are calling for Walcott to be on that pitch. It has not been Welbeck's night tonight.

Pat in Glasgow: Arsenal are not genuine Champions League contenders because they cannot play ugly and win, or play poorly and win.

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Football League update

Forest have clawed their way back into this game, coming from a goal down to lead 2-1 at the interval, thanks to a strike almost on the whistle from Henri Lansbury.

The hosts have won three of their last four games, drawing one. Their last defeat was 1-0 against Millwall at home back on 31 January.

If Arsenal really are to go all the way in this year's Champions League, they are going to have to quickly improve their defensive frailties. They have kept only two clean sheets in their last eight Champions League knockout games at home.

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Emirates Stadium

"Grim first half that one for Arsenal. Barely caused Monaco a moment's trouble - no tempo to their play and they have never looked like piercing a very solid defence. More urgency needed after the break."

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

5 live Sport

"This is all about Arsene Wenger now, who has to earn his money. He will calm his team down and tell them they need to go for Monaco's throat. Arsenal haven't yet turned up in the final third, and Monaco have defended stoutly."

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Bira King: That goal shows up the of wasteful play of Arsenal.

Harry Fisher: When will people realise Welbeck is nothing but a passenger in games like these? United lost patience, surely Arsenal will too.

Nathan: Looks like some more Last 16 misery for Arsenal...

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HALF-TIME

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The half-time whistle goes and Arsenal pay the price for a lack of urgency in that half. Another bad first 45 minutes for an English side in the Champions League, after Manchester City found themselves 2-0 down to Barcelona at the same point last night.

...Santi Cazorla takes it, but it is too close to the Monaco keeper.

YELLOW CARD

Danny Welbeck scampers away down the right and his pace proves too much for Elderson, who opts to stop him in his tracks with a lunging foul. Yellow card for the Monaco man and a free-kick for Arsenal...

Even-steven - but not on the scoreboard

Opta

Arsenal have had more possession - and slightly more of the territory. But they trail where it matters most.

YELLOW CARD

Francis Coquelin goes in too heavy on goalscorer Geoffrey Kondogbia and picks up the first booking of the night. A frustrating goal for the hosts to concede, having looked relatively comfortable for much of the half.

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Javel Bleach: Monaco lead at Arsenal! Who expected that?

Mike Simpson: Classic Arsenal. Even more patience required now.

Kerry Peter Parvin: Not a surprise with the way Arsenal have been playing. Yet again at the big stage the players don't turn up.

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So far it is an unhappy reunion for Arsene Wenger with his former side Monaco. He leans forward on his seat in the dugout, arms folded and deep in thought as Arsenal try to mount a response.

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

5 live Sport

Reuters

"Kondogbia picked that ball up centrally and had one thing on his mind - he wanted to hit it. It was a lucky ricochet, but to be fair to him he opted to hit it from distance and he was lucky.

"Stunning, really, because Monaco have been professional in the manner in which they have played but they haven't threatened Arsenal's goal. A sucker punch."

GOAL

AFP

Now then. This has come out of nowhere as Monaco take the lead through Geoffrey Kondogbia. Danny Welbeck loses possession and the visitors attack with speed, Joao Moutinho squaring a ball to the unmarked Kondogbia, who shoots from more than 25 yards and his effort flies into the back of the net via a slight deflection off Per Mertesacker.

The deflection left the keeper with no chance.

Arsenal are at their best when they attack quickly and they have another chance as Santi Cazorla feeds a pass to the onrushing Hector Bellerin on the right, he crosses low into the area but Olivier Giroud's first time effort goes over. The Gunners are getting a little close.

Hector Bellerin is beaten for the first time by the tricky feet of Anthony Marital, who fizzes in a cross from the left that Joao Moutinho meets with a volley, but sends it high into the stands.

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

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"It's that man again. Sanchez can all of a sudden come alive. He cleverly checked his run and still managed to get a shot off. He had to swing his right foot at it because the ball got stuck under his feet. Sanchez always sees a way through that midfield, and his feet are so quick. He's incredible."

CLOSE!

Even closer! This time it is a lovely flowing move with Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez exchanging passes, which ends with the latter having space inside the area but he lifts his shot just over the bar with the ball a little behind him.

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Emirates Stadium

"Easy to see why Monaco have such a sound defensive record. Well organised, strong in the tackle and willing to throw bodies in the way. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger suspected this might be the way of things and the challenge for Arsenal (and their supporters) is not to let frustration get the better of them as they probe for a way through."

A shot on target! Laurent Koscielny pounces on a stray pass by Nabil Dirar on the left and races forward before shooting towards the near post, but Monaco keeper Danijel Subasic has it covered.

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

5 live Sport

"This is end-to-end stuff. Both teams only know one way, to soak up pressure then bomb forward."

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Paul Collins: This is poor from Arsenal and exactly why we won't win the Champions League.

Rayguns Lk Rl Enough: Why is Welbeck starting ahead of Walcott? He'd struggle to hit an aircraft hangar.

Alistair Wiseman: Arsenal started well but seem to have remembered that Welbeck can't hit a barn door and Ozil's asleep.

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Half-an-hour gone and not a single shot on target as Arsenal pass the ball around patiently trying to build an attack. There is no sense of urgency from either side at the moment.

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Arsenal fans are used to seeing a winning side at the Emirates, with the Gunners having won their last nine games in all competitions on home soil, and that is perhaps playing a part in the sense of some slight frustration from the home crowd that they are struggling to break Monaco down.

Another Santi Cazorla run prompts some shouts of encouragement, but Monaco defend well to halt his venture forward.

Football league latest

Equaliser for Forest. Another corner not properly cleared, with the ball falling to Jamaal Lascelles on the edge of the area. His speculative, low, right-footed shot sneaks through a crowd of players and into the back of the net. It's all square on the banks of the Trent.

Bournemouth, you know, have never won at the City Ground, drawing three and losing three of the six meetings there.

Live text updates and match stats can be enjoyed here.

AP

Better from Arsenal as Olivier Giroud just gets ahead of Aymen Abdennour to meet an Alexis Sanchez corner, but the Monaco defender does just enough to ensure the Arsenal striker can't direct his header on target.

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Mark in Bracknell: Is it just me or is the referee blowing his whistle longer than average? Worrying when that's the highlight....

Ody from Sunderland: Arsenal will not win the Champions League. They are mentally weak and tactically weak too. They have no chance of beating Real, Barcelona, Bayern - they are not even in the same class.

Ben in Rutland: There is an astonishing amount of talent in the Arsenal side. If they want it, the final is within their reach.

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Monaco have perhaps sensed that unease in the crowd and come forward again, this time defender Aymen Abdennour goes on an uncharacteristic run towards the Arsenal box, which goes unchecked, but his cross-shot is easy pickings for David Ospina.

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

5 live Sport

"We're having the full repertoire of flicks and touches tonight from Berbatov. He's not getting the ball very often, but when he does he's still got it. And Arsenal are looking nervy.

Hector Bellerin then gets forward himself, finding himself inside the Monaco area but his first touch as he chases a pass is poor and the chance is gone. The sense of optimism around the ground before kick-off has subsided and the atmosphere is a bit flat at the moment.

Reuters

Arsenal seem wise to Monaco's attacks down the wings as Anthony Martial finds himself faced with two Arsenal players quickly closing in on him as he tries to wriggle away down the left, but he can't get past Hector Bellerin once again.

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Emirates Stadium

"Monaco are clearly determined to make this a long, hard night for Arsenal. The Gunners have had some early joy stretching Monaco, with Danny Welbeck prominent - but it already appears that patience may be the order of the day. Subdued start. Subdued crowd."

After a fast start the pace of the game has tailed off a bit, with Monaco, having fended off that flurry of attacks by Arsenal, building a couple of opportunities of their own. They win a free-kick, midway inside the Gunners' half, which Fabinho sends into the area but Arsenal clear.

Monaco seem keen to develop their attacks out wide, utilising the pace of Anthony Martial and Nabil Dirar on the flanks, and they try to get down the left through Martial, but he is well marshalled by Hector Bellerin as the Arsenal full-back times his challenge well to steal possession and knock the ball up field.

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

5 live Sport

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"Monaco have enjoyed a period of possession and are showing they can play. They look decent, and Geoffrey Kondogbia is really catching the eye. The are here to play, and the front three are working very hard, including Berbatov. They want to disrupt the play of Arsenal."

Football League latest

An early goal, and Andrew Surman of Bournemouth nets on three minutes. The corner was not properly cleared and the left-footed effort from Surman flies past Karl Darlow in the Forest goal. A really fine, technical strike.

The Cherries have only won once on the road since mid-January as they attempt to get their promotion push back on track.

Live text updates and match stats can be enjoyed here.

A first foray forward for Monaco as Dimitar Berbatov receives a pass in the final third. His first touch is greeted by boos from the home crowd, which turns into cheers as the former Tottenham striker is flagged offside.

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Eddie: Winning the Champions League is for the three or four biggest spenders in Europe. Since Arsenal aren't one of them we can't win the trophy.

Tom Holmes: Arsenal are more than capable than beating this Monaco side. Let's focus on that and then go from there, and then who knows?

Dobs: Looks like Cazorla invested a lot of time in hair gel before this game...

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This is an excellent start from Arsenal as they have Monaco firmly on the back foot. They forge another chance as Santi Cazorla surges through the defence and feeds a low ball across the face of goal, but Danny Welbeck is held off by a defender as he tries to get the crucial touch.

Arsenal come back again as Kieran Gibbs plays a dangerous low ball to the middle of the area for Danny Welbeck, but his marker gets a foot in to hack clear.

Vote result

We asked whether you thought Arsenal would defeat Monaco and reach the last eight of the competition. Well, it's an overwhelming thumbs-up for the Gunners, with almost 86% of you backing them to win the tie.

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

5 live Sport

"Patience is required, but Arsenal need a directness, steeliness and swiftness to their play. They must go after their opponents early on now, and ensure they know it will not be easy for them tonight."

PA

There's no deviation from their group-stage tactics from Monaco as they start this game sitting deep, but it almost costs them as a long ball finds Danny Welbeck getting goal side of Elderson, but he shoots over the bar from a tricky angle.

KICK-OFF

It is Arsenal to get things under way with the home fans in full voice.

Vote closed

We asked whether you thought Arsenal would win this tie and reach the last eight. Voting has not closed - thanks if you voted and we will have the results for you shortly.

Martin Keown

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown on BBC Radio 5 live

"Sanchez, for those who have not seen him playing, he is a dynamo. I was at the training ground the other day and they almost have to drag him off there.

"I don't think I've ever felt as comfortable in the company of a manager than I did with Wenger and because he comforts players they feel they want to give more for him. He certainly does not seem like a manager looking back. He believes he can win it. And Arsenal, I feel why not?"

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Great noise in the Emirates as the two teams walk out with the familiar Champions League anthem belting out. There's definitely a sense of optimism around the ground as the Gunners look to take that unfamiliar step into the quarter-finals.

Manager comments

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger tells Sky Sports about his decision to change his full-backs tonight: "It's a decision of the day. We are confronted with a few counter attacking players and I felt it a good way to stop them doing it.

How can you guard against the counter attack? "By not losing the ball and by switching quickly from offence to defence when we lose it and by organising as well.

"When we attack and five or six players attack the others have to organise. We have the experience but you cannot always stop it as the game demands risk and risks sometimes expose you."

LINE-UPS

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The players have disappeared back down the tunnel and kick-off is just over five minutes away. Here's a final reminder of the line-ups:

Arsenal XI: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ozil, Sanchez, Welbeck. Giroud.

Monaco XI: Subasic, Elderson, Wallace, Abdennour, Toure, Fabinho, Moutinho, Kondogbia, Dirar, Martial, Berbatov.

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Jack Laurance: I'd say Arsenal are at least a couple of years away from developing a squad good enough to win the Champions League. At the moment there are better teams in Europe. We're getting there, though.

Brett Alicia Warren Lidgett: Arsenal are only there to make the numbers up...

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What the managers say

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Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim: "Arsenal have developed a lot over the last couple of years and they're a better side than they were two or three years ago.

"They have had some very strong attacking players come into the squad. We beat them in pre-season but that was just a training game so we can't draw too many conclusions; but we'd take the same result [a 1-0 win]. Arsenal are a lot stronger now, though."

What the managers say

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "I've been manager of Arsenal for 18 years and I'm only focused on qualifying for the quarter-finals. Monaco are a team who got 11 points in the group stage - they scored four goals and conceded one - which means they defend very well. That's certainly what they will try to do as they are also very good on the break, quick in transition."

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Gareth Murray: Well, Sam from Shrewsbury (19:06), Barcelona lost at home to Malaga. I take it they've no chance either then?

Matt Eagles: How can Arsenal not be contenders? Great football, great players, great manager!

Abdulahi: Arsenal have proven they can beat big teams. The question is, can we beat a big team over two legs?

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The Monaco fans who have made the trip over and are making plenty of noise. They are also nicely colour coordinated, with the top half of fans in one section wearing red rain coats, and the bottom half wearing white rain coats.

Our separate live text commentary on Bayer Leverkusen's last-16 first-leg tie with Atletico Madrid is under way. We will provide goal updates here but head on over for a more in-depth coverage of that game.

BBC

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Phillip Fort: Re Sam from Shrewsbury (19:06), just take a look at the teams Chelsea failed to beat in the 2011/12 season.

Chris Battle: It feels weird that I'm about to watch Arsenal in the knock-out stages of the Champions League with a sense of optimism!

Tim Sawrey: Surely those saying Arsenal are Champions League contenders don't believe they can beat the likes of Madrid and Bayern?

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Julien Laurens

French football journalist on BBC Radio 5 live at Emirates Stadium

"Monaco will do what they have done so far in the competition and that is defend deep. They have not scored a goal in the first-half during this tournament so you know what you will get.

"This is an interesting project. Financial Fair Play came too early for them, they do not have the revenues to cover what they can spend because the owner is a Russian billionaire so now they go for youth. That's what the plan is now, form them, sell them on later on and start the cycle again.

"There was an English newspaper today which described this game as 'easy street' so we showed that to he Monaco sporting director and he said 'oh really, I will show the players that.'"

Arsenal formation

BBC

You are not wrong Martin, it looks like Arsenal are lining up with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Olivier Giroud spearheading the attack. He has five goals in his last seven games, but will have his work cut out against a Monaco defence that conceded just one goal in the group stage.

Martin Keown

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown on BBC Radio 5 live

"There is a good balance to the Arsenal team. They are spending big money now. There are no excuses. Tonight is about showing the fans that they are the real deal. Perhaps they are more continental than Manchester City. They won't be 4-4-2."

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The Monaco players are being treated to some classic British weather right now, rain is falling on to the Emirates pitch as the two teams go through their pre-match warm-ups.

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Chris Moorman: Loving Bellerin and Gibbs as pacy fullbacks tonight.

Seany Ekon: It's a mistake, starting Gibbs over Monreal.

Nick Donaldson: Arsenal are better than Chelsea were in 2013 and, with similar luck, could win the Champions League.

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Ian Dennis

BBC Radio 5 live senior football reporter at Emirates Stadium

"This is the easiest task for the English sides left in the competition though it is important to stress that since the group stages ended in December Monaco have vastly improved.

"Monaco have made four changes from the side that beat Nice in a derby game on Friday, with a highly rated left back - Layvin Kurzawa - left on the bench.

"They only conceded a goal in the group stage and for that reason the all important goal will be how early Arsenal can score to open the game out."

Arsenal

The half-and-half scarves are ready, are you?

Get voting

Arsene Wenger says he is focused on guiding Arsenal to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2010, but can he do it?

You can vote now on the right side of this page, or for mobile and app users, click on the necessary tab. Check terms and conditions.

AS Monaco share via social media a strikingly moody pic of tonight's Emirates:

AS_Monaco

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Sam from Shrewsbury: How can anyone possibly think a side who have failed to beat Leicester, Hull, Stoke, Swansea and Manchester United can possibly win the Champions League?

Arlo in Uppingham: There is no doubt that the Gooners can win the Champions League. We have two or three squad members who know how to go far in Europe and with our current form and a bit of luck with the draw you have to say it is a real possibility.

There you go, folks. Two sides, nicely balanced, with BBC Sport sitting nice and impartially in the middle...

Team news

Bayer Leverkusen manager Roger Schmidt restores Germany midfielder Lars Bender to the starting eleven following Saturday's 2-2 Bundesliga draw with Augsburg. Emir Spahic comes in at the back with Turkey international Omer Toprak suspended.

Bayer Leverkusen XI: Leno, Hilbert, Spahic, Papadopoulos, Wendell, Bender, Castro, Calhanoglu, Son, Bellarabi, Drmic

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has to do without midfielder Koke after he sustained a hamstring injury in the 4-0 La Liga victory at home to rivals Real Madrid earlier this month.

Atletico Madrid XI: Moya, Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Siqueira, Tiago, Gabi, Arda, Saul, Griezmann, Mandzukic.

There will be a separate live text commentary of this match from 19:30 GMT.

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Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

5 live Drive

"Monaco come here with a very respectable record in this season's Champions League. I can't get this vision of Berbatov out of my head. He's gone out to pasture a little at Monaco, lying on a deckchair every day after arriving home from training in his Ferrari.

"So I'm not sure what mood he'll be in tonight, but though he's capable I don't think it's in his legs anymore, not that he was ever the quickest. But he's an old rival of Arsenal's, and he has great respect for this Arsenal team."

Old enemy

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The sight of the red and white shirt might provide a warm, fuzzy feeling of nostalgia for Arsene Wenger, but that might quickly evaporate if Dimitar Berbatov has his say.

The veteran striker, who starts tonight, will be a very familiar face to Arsenal fans after scoring 46 goals in a two-year spell at bitter rivals Tottenham and played in seven north-London derbies.

"Being back here is great for me, playing in this stadium," says Berbatov. "I have had some good moments here, scored a couple of goals and also had some bad moments. It is nothing new to me. I know the games, I watch them on TV, Arsenal are playing very well."

Tune in on BBC Radio 5 live

BBC

BBC presenter Gabby Logan tweets: Arsenal v Monaco last 16 champions league @bbc5live 7pm - join us soon.

You can listen on BBC Radio 5 live and we will also collate the best of what is said for you here as always.

Team news

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger changes his full-backs from Saturday's win at Crystal Palace as both Hector Bellerin and Kieran Gibbs come in for Nacho Monreal and Calum Chambers.

Francis Coquelin continues in the holding role in midfield as Mathieu Flamini is left out of the matchday squad.

As expected, ex-Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov will lead Monaco's attack.

Arsenal XI: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ozil, Sanchez, Welbeck. Giroud.

Monaco XI: Subasic, Elderson, Wallace, Abdennour, Toure, Fabinho, Moutinho, Kondogbia, Dirar, Martial, Berbatov.

BreakingBREAKING TEAM NEWS

Hector Bellerin and Kieran Gibbs start for Arsenal against Monaco. Jack Wilshere is rested as expected.

Arsenal XI: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Coquelin, Cazorla, Sanchez, Ozil, Welbeck, Giroud

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

5 live Drive

"Arsenal do not want to concede tonight. In recent seasons they have had to play the likes of Bayern, AC Milan and Barcelona, so this is a healthy draw.

"It's quite a nostalgic affair for Arsene Wenger, who is playing against Monaco - when you think about it, there are very few former clubs he could play against.

"I think Arsenal are a side more suited to European football than a team like Manchester City. Tonight, the Gunners are strong favourites and they must relish that, enjoy it. Arsene Wenger's Arsenal have never won the Champions League - maybe this could be their year."

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Ajujumbu Promise: People are saying Arsenal can win the Champions League this year, but we should ask if they can beat Monaco. We know what happens to the Gunners in February and March...

Ken K: We do have a fantastic squad. If everyone turns out for each matchday then we could go far...

Bobby: It's all very well Arsenal getting through the group and beating likes of Monaco. They're yet to prove they can beat the big teams.

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Things change in a decade...

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Since Monaco last made the knockout stages in 2005, Prince Albert II became the region's head of state and he married former Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock in 2011.

Championship preview

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There is one game in the Championship tonight as Dougie Freedman looks to continue his impressive start to life as Nottingham Forest manager when they host promotion-chasing Bournemouth.

Forest are unbeaten in Freedman's four matches in charge and will fancy their chances against a Cherries side who suffered their first defeat in five games at the weekend - a 3-1 loss at Brentford.

We'll bring you regular updates on the game.

Former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown

BBC Sport on Focus Forum

"The manager has to pick his first strongest 11, and it is the first time in a long time that I am not sure what that is. Does Gabriel come in for Per Mertesacker? There could be a changing of the guard at the back."

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Aaron Ramsey, absent tonight: ‏Good luck to the boys tonight. Champions League nights at The Emirates are always special, will be a great atmosphere.

Team news imminent

We should have team news in the next five minutes or so. One person definitely missing out is Aaron Ramsey, who was ruled out for around three weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury in the 2-1 defeat of Leicester City on 10 February.

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Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Emirates

"Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger does not exactly subscribe to the theory that they have finally landed some overdue Champions League luck by drawing his former club Monaco in the last 16.

"The Gunners may have avoided the superpowers but Wenger calls this "a 50-50 game" and there is real resilience about Monaco, who have lost only one of their last 17 games and possess the languid skills of former Spurs and Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov.

"Berbatov's best days may be behind him but the sort of gifts he possesses endure and Arsenal will be wary of the Bulgarian on his return to north London."

Be wary of the reptile

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When Arsenal drew Monaco in the last-16 draw, it was largely seen as an easy tie for the Gunners, who avoided facing the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the first round of knockout games.

However, they have enough about them to suggest that Arsenal should be wary, with the French side heading into the game on the back of their 1-0 derby win at Nice on Friday, which extends their recent record to just one defeat in their last 17 matches in all competitions.

"Easy is a word that you have to ban in the Champions League," says Wenger. "They are efficient and physically powerful. That helps them to stay in matches when they are under pressure. Monaco are like a reptile. They will wait for us and absorb the game ready to kill us."

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Alex Watson: I'll be watching the Arsenal game in a bar in Bulgaria tonight. Expecting massive support for Berbatov, but not much else.

James Chesson: Arsenal can win the Champions League, but it will require a decent amount of luck and a miraculously low number of injuries.

Miko Beng: If Arsenal play like the way they did against Manchester City they will go far. They do have a fantastic squad.

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Get voting

Arsene Wenger says he is focused on guiding Arsenal to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2010, but can he do it?

You can vote now on the right side of this page, or for mobile and app users, click on the necessary tab. Check terms and conditions.

Cut out and keep

Arsenal

How are Arsenal marking the Arsene Wenger connection between themselves and Monaco? With a cut out of the man himself in the matchday programme, naturally.

A removable coat, replete with tricky zip, would have just topped it off...

On 5 live tonight

BBC Radio 5 live

Coming up at 19:00 GMT, Gabby Logan presents sports news and build-up to Arsenal v Monaco in the Champions League before full match commentary gets under at 19:45 GMT in the company of Ian Dennis and one-time Arsenal centre-back Martin Keown.

Then, at 21:40, it is 5 live Football Social - your calls and social media reaction following the night's action. Contact the show by calling 0500 909 693, texting 85058 (both UK-only) or on social media.

Master versus the rookie

Opta

He's been a manager how long??

AS Monaco

Just to highlight how long Arsene Wenger has been in the management game, part of Monaco's title-winning side under Arsene Wenger back in 1988 were these two chaps - Glenn Hoddle and Mark Hateley.

They are now 57 and 53 respectively...

AS Monaco

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Top Gooner: Arsenal can win the Champions League if the squad performs to its capabilities, but it's unlikely with Real Madrid and Bayern.

Ankur Goel: Arsenal could actually surprise everyone, including themselves, by winning this year's Champions League!

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Wenger's long-term vision

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What was the Arsene Wenger who managed Monaco like, then?

At Arsenal, he has long been an advocate of the club developing its own players and it was the same at Monaco, where the likes of Lilian Thuram, Emmanuel Petit, George Weah, Youri Djorkaeff and the chap at the top of this entry with the magnificent barnet - Thierry Henry - all came through during his tenure.

"With Arsene it was always the long-term picture on players," says Jurgen Klinsmann, who played for Monaco from 1992-94.

"Wenger used to leave out Djorkaeff and say 'he has to learn to live the right life off the field'. It paid off. The kid learned his lesson and a couple of years later won the World Cup with France. I understood his vision was always long-term."

Arsenal a 'surprise package'

BBC

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown believes the Gunners could be a "surprise package" in this season's Champions League.

Speaking on Focus Forum, Keown said: "It is a proud night for Arsene Wenger, they will come over and see what he has achieved. It is a dream draw for Arsenal, they have had terrible draws over the years and I feel this squad is starting to come together.

"I think they could be a surprise package and I think they get through this one."

Watch the full Focus Forum: Arsenal v Monaco preview

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

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Arsenal are Champions League knockout stage regulars, having reached this stage of the competition in each of the last 15 seasons but they have fallen at the last-16 hurdle every year since 2010.

However, given their impressive group-stage form, coupled with their strong domestic run since the turn of the year, are they genuine contenders this time?

If not which British side do you think will be the last team standing in the competition?

Let us know via #bbcfootball, text in on 81111 or have your say on the BBC Sport and Google+ pages.

An emotional game then. Does Arsene Wenger get emotional?

The Frenchman may claim to have his focus solely on guiding Arsenal into the Champions League quarter-finals but, given that he has spent 25 of his 65 years at the two clubs, the visit of the side he honed his managerial skills at will surely stir some emotional feelings.

"At the draw I said to myself: 'Bizarre'. But I just told myself that my life had been made there, between these two clubs," he says. "The nostalgia of the young man that I was is going to meet the man that I am but it is match with huge consequences - the professional side of me will take over from everything else."

Torres debut?

Mario Mandzukic/Instagram

Also in action tonight are last year's Champions League finalists as Atletico Madrid take on Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.

Diego Simeone's side will fancy their chances of returning to Spain with a positive result, having lost just one away game in the competition since September 2013.

The fixture could also mark a Champions League debut for Fernando Torres at his boyhood club. Will the former Liverpool and Chelsea striker add to his three goals for Atletico?

Find out by following our dedicated live coverage of that game, which will get under way at 19:30 GMT.

Old friend

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Hello! After defeat for Manchester City against Barcelona last night and Chelsea's draw at Paris St-Germain last week, it is over to Arsenal to get Premier League sides up and running in the Champions League knockout stage tonight.

The Gunners host Monaco in their Champions League last-16 first-leg tie looking to secure a result that will boost their chances of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in five years.

But this is much more than just another fixture for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger because, for the first time in his 32-year managerial career, he comes up against a former club in a competitive fixture, and one that holds a special place in his heart.

It's going to be emotional...

Renewing acquaintances

Twenty-seven years ago, a 38-year-old Arsene Wenger won the Ligue 1 title with Monaco - his first piece of silverware as a manager...

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...sixteen trophies have followed, including three Premier League titles and five FA Cups with Arsenal...

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...one significant trophy remains absent from Wenger's, and Arsenal's, cabinet - the Champions League...

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...can he move a step closer to a first-ever European title with victory against his former side tonight?