Chance! Unlucky Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck drills a cross at him, like a shot, and Giroud gets a thigh to it but can only steer it at goalkeeper Danijel Subasic.

Seconds later Welbeck has another shot from a tight angle. Arsenal ending the half well on top.

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin
at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"Joao Moutinho was just fouled then, and went to ground clutching his face. Coquelin, who made the challenge, was nowhere near his face. I think the referee should have punished Moutinho. That's a yellow card for me, because that's as much simulation as a dive."

One nil up at Monaco at half-time? Arsene Wenger would have settled for that. Plenty of time to really go at it in the second half.

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin
at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"I'm not convinced that was a penalty, but I'm not convinced it was a yellow card either. And the referee was in a good position.

"At the moment, this game is set up in just the way we wanted. But is it all set up for glorious failure?"

Image source, Reuters

Alexis Sanchez is booked for a dive - Arsenal want a penalty.

The Chile forward does go down pretty easily but he was touched by Fabinho. He's furious, Sanchez. No penalty though.

Olivier Giroud may be getting more than a 2/10 from newspaper L'Equipe tomorrow. He's proving a menace to society up there. Arsenal need two goals in 50 minutes to progress.

As gambles in Monte Carlo go, it's a pretty good one. The house always wins though - doesn't it?

Joe Wedgwood: Yes Giroud! How's that to stick it to his critics! C'mon Arsenal!

Nathan: Arsenal ahead, but I just can't see them keeping a clean sheet this match.

Jerry Elumeze: Arsenal have lacked belief. Perhaps the goal will change that...

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Arsenal flying now, confidence coursing through the side. The home crowd are calling for the half-time whistle. They've got minutes and minutes to hang on yet...

Almost a second! Danny Welbeck middles a shot from the edge of the box, catches it as sweet as you could ever wish to hit a ball, it's flying in but hits defender Aymen Abdennour on the floor!

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin
at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

Image source, Reuters

"I like that from Giroud! He has been putting himself about tonight, working his socks off. That wasn't the most beautiful goal you've ever seen but such clever use of his physique. It was a really nice finish on the rebound, into the roof of the net.

"We wanted that to happen, we wanted to see the question asked of Monaco. The hosts started well but have been second-best for the last 20 minutes. They are beginning to lose their shape, which I didn't expect to see."

Image source, EPA

Back of the net! It's a wonderful finish at the end of more scrappy play. Danny Welbeck sends Olivier Giroud in behind the Monaco backline, goalkeeper Danijel Subasic saves his first effort which spins up and hits Giroud on the head. He turns, steadies himself and then with two defenders on the line, fires into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

He took it brilliantly.

Monaco look a little bit unsure of how to approach this one - a goal for Arsenal would really kick this game up a notch. As it is it's all a bit scrappy.

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin
at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

Image source, Getty Images

"Dimitar Berbatov is languid. He's such a stylish player, and at the moment his attitude out there is good. But we've all seen games where his performances can best be described as 'slack'."

Image source, Getty Images

There is one other game going on this evening in the Champions League - and there has been a goal. Last season's finalists Atletico Madrid take a 1-0 lead against Bayer Leverkusen through Mario Suarez to make it 1-1 on aggregate. Going to penalties as it stands - long way to go, mind.

Follow that game here.

A cross from Alexis Sanchez is helped back in by Danny Welbeck, Olivier Giroud does well to let it drop but before he can get a shot off Aymen Abdennour does really well to manoeuvre his body into a blocking position.

James: Arsenal need to up the tempo. At least have a go. Come on Arsenal, go for it!

Paul in Newcastle: I hate to say, but Arsenal don't look up for this...

Send us your views via #bbcfootball,, external on the BBC Sport Facebook page, external or via text on 81111 (UK only).

Francis Coquelin breaks up a Monaco attack and gets Arsenal up and running again. They've had an encouraging 10-minute spell but they need to cap it with a goal. Alexis Sanchez's cross is well cut out by Wallace.

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin
at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"Koscielny succeeded in getting on the end of that flick-on, even if he was offside. More and more little rays of hope for Arsenal, which must be leading to Monaco feeling jittery."

Image source, Reuters

A terrible miss! Laurent Koscielny smashes against the crossbar from just a few yards out after Monaco make a hash of clearing a free-kick. A big chance for the Gunners. The offside flag was up but that free-kick was flicked on by a Monaco head!

Moments later Danny Welbeck almost gets to a ball ahead of Monaco keeper Danijel Subasic but he can't sort his feet out.

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin
at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"Better play from Arsenal. They have had good possession for the last five minutes. The likes of Cazorla are getting on the ball, and Ozil is trying to get into the game too. But the German's final ball is still lacking, at least by his high standards."