Summary

  • Arsenal knocked out on away goals

  • Gunners cannot make late pressure pay

  • 3-1 home defeat proves costly

  1. Postpublished at 20:07 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    This is better from Arsenal, they've raised it a notch. Alexis Sanchez loses his man with a lovely little turn but when he gets it out wide Monaco defend well again.

  2. Postpublished at 20:05 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Santi Cazorla's shot is blockedImage source, AFP

    Lovely effort! Olivier Giroud picks out a crafty cross from the left, Santi Cazorla watches it right onto his instep and laces in a strike but the wonderfully-named Brazilian, Wallace, spreads his leg out to make the block. Cazorla with a very, very optimistic penalty shout. Nowhere near his hands.

  3. Join the debate at #bbcfootballpublished at 20:03 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Dennis Ethan: Both teams playing cautious football, which suits the hosts.

    Tony Stewart: Arsenal are acting like they are the ones who are 3-1 up! If you're going to try and win a game, try and attack at least!

    Rupert Whicker: Berbatov with best first touch I've seen. Who needs to run when you're Midas?

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

  4. Postpublished at 20:02 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Danny Welbeck gets free on the left momentarily but his touch is poor, ragged and the chance has gone. Arsenal growing into the game though.

  5. Postpublished at 20:01 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    The Edge, Larry Mullins Jr and Bono at the Monaco v Arsenal matchImage source, Getty Images

    U2 in the house. They were lucky to get tickets weren't they? Arsenal still haven't found what they're looking for. They need some elevation. Etc...

  6. CLOSE!published at 20:00 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Olivier Girous rises for a headerImage source, AFP

    Chance! Arsenal finally craft an opening as right-back Hector Bellerin swings in a cross and Olivier Giroud climbs well, flicking a header wide of the top corner.

    He got 2/10 in the French press after that first leg. I'll give him 6/10 for that effort.

  7. Postpublished at 19:57 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

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

    "If Arsenal are to win this they need to play at a Premier League pace. But that's not always Arsenal's forte, and in any case that's not usually the Arsenal way. Add to that the fact that Monaco actually look that bit fitter, or at least more physical.

    "The Gunners cannot get on the ball and get it to their creative players, They are not controlling this game at all. Where are Arsenal strong? Technical players in the midfield. But they are being ratted off the ball."

  8. Postpublished at 19:56 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Nobody has scored three goals against Monaco - at home - for three-and-a-half years. Arsenal don't look like ending that run in these early stages. Tentative stuff from the Gunners.

  9. Balloon adorepublished at 19:55 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Choices, choices. Watch the Champions League action, or follow the BBC Sport live text? Or enjoy a St Patrick's Day pint of stout? Or scoff your birthday cake if you're 29 today? Well, if you're Man City striker Edin Dzeko you first play with your inflatables..., external

    Edin Dzeko with borthday balloonsImage source, EdDzeko
  10. Postpublished at 19:53 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Rash. Rash stuff from Francis Coquelin as he slides into a tackle he can never win, taking out Joao Moutinho on the slide. He's lucky not to be booked really.

    Monaco look very content so far. Arsenal haven't hurt them early on.

  11. Postpublished at 19:52 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    There's not even the slightest hint of tracking back from Dimitar Berbatov when he loses possession. He has others to do his running for him. Has there been a man with a better first touch though?

  12. Postpublished at 19:50 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Danny Welbeck's first touch is a laboured one and Arsenal's first foray into enemy territory breaks down. Olivier Giroud then gets a stern ticking off from the referee after clattering Aymen Abdennour.

  13. Postpublished at 19:48 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

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

    "What is slightly psychologically damaging for Arsenal is that already you can see Monaco do not intend to sit back, but instead are challenging the Arsenal midfield already, pressurising from the off."

  14. Postpublished at 19:48 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Dimitar Berbatov jogs in behind the Arsenal defence but he's offside, pretty steady start in what sounds like a subdued stadium. Arsenal in a neat blue kit tonight. Monaco then bring the noise, bring the skill with a slick move, Berbatov lays it off to Joao Moutinho, and he curls over the bar.

  15. 'No point exiting with a whimper'published at 19:46 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Former Man City and England full-back Danny Mills
    5 live Sport

    "Arsene Wenger had to go with this attacking line-up. He had to go for it, because there's no point exiting this competition with a whimper. Might as well go out with a bang!"

  16. 'Arsenal should not feel intimidated'published at 19:45 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Commentator Alan Green
    at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

    "Trust me, this is one of the least intimidating arenas in football. It is a small ground despite the money spent on it, and there's a running track. Arsenal should not feel intimidated - far from it."

  17. KICK-OFFpublished at 19:45 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Alexis Sanchez challenges for the ballImage source, AFP

    We are under way...

  18. 'Football is not predictable'published at 19:43 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on ITV Sport: "We have quality and desire. The stats and the numbers are against us but the desire is there. Let's give it our best shot and see how we come out of it.

    "We can hurt Monaco by playing at a high pace and using our strikers well. We have to be technically very good to work good attacking positions.

    "I don't expect any weakness in Monaco - we've just promised ourselves to give absolutely everything and produce the best quality we can to give us a chance.

    "I don't expect Monaco to wobble, but football is not predictable. Let's turn that unpredictability to our advantage."

  19. LINE-UPSpublished at 19:41 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Arsenal

    Monaco: Subasic, Fabinho, Wallace Santos, Abdennour, Kurzawa, Toulalan, Kondogbia, Joao Moutinho, Dirar, Martial, Berbatov. Subs: Stekelenburg, Carvalho, Matheus Carvalho, Bernardo Silva, Carrasco, Echiejile, Toure.

    Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ozil, Welbeck, Sanchez, Giroud. Subs: Szczesny, Gibbs, Gabriel, Walcott, Ramsey, Flamini, Chambers.

    Referee: Svein Oddvar Moen (Haugesund)

  20. Postpublished at 19:41 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Here they come. Fire up the synth strings, Champions League anthem time...