Before the match even started, #miracleinmonaco was trending. We all know the power of Arsenal fans on social media, but all we as fans could do was cheer for the team, the rest was in the players hands.
After a dismal performance in the first leg where we lost 3-1 at home to a side that had scored just 4 goals in the 6 group stage games showed we were a defensive unit in shambles. But 14 wins in the last 16 games meant that game against Monaco was a one off.
Monaco had a 2 goal advantage and had scored 3 away goals. The last one by Carrasco in the last kick of the game after a mistake by Chamberlain. That goal could have proved decisive in determining the fate of the team.
Monaco had fit again star LB Kurzawa in the starting XI and he was one of their shining lights in a campaign that saw them lose their best players in Falcao and James Rodriguez.
Ospina continued in goal, while Bellerin started at RB with Nacho at LB. Mertesacker and Koscielny started in central defence. Coquelin was the holding midfielder. There was no lack of creativity in the side as Ozil and Cazorla also started.
In attack Alexis Sanchez started on the right flank with Welbeck in the left. Olivier Giroud who wanted to make up for his misses at the Emirates in the first leg started up front.
FIRST HALF
Arsenal needed to make a bright start and especially needed an early goal. But Monaco had the first chance of the game after some poor work by Sanchez in losing the ball led to a curling effort by Moutinho that just went wide.
Arsenal finally had some control of the game, dominating possession. But Monaco defence was proving too hard to break down. Giroud had the first decent chance for Arsenal heading an effort just wide.
With 10 minutes remaining of the half Arsenal took the lead on the night. It was that man Olivier Giroud. Welbeck put him through and his initial effort was saved. He smacked in the rebound to give Arsenal a hugely important goal to get back into the game.
Welbeck had a chance at the end of the half that was blocked by the superb Abdennour. Arsenal led 1-0 with hope being there for the miracle in Monaco.
SECOND HALF
Ozil forced a superb save from a free kick. Arsenal slowly but surely were getting back in the game as Monaco's defence, one of the best in Europe, were seemingly creaking under pressure by the forwards of the visitors.
Moutinho had another attempt on the counter attack but ended up scuffing the shot. Danger signs were there showing Monaco's counter attacking capabilities.
Ozil missed a glorious chance after a cross from Bellerin some what fortuitously found its way to him.
Theo Walcott on as a substitute for Welbeck had an attempt that hit the post after being put through by Monreal. Ramsey seized the rebound and rammed home to give Arsenal the crucial 2nd goal. The tie was level on aggregate, but Monaco had the away goals.
11 minutes were remaining and Arsenal needed the 1 goal. The moment came. An Ozil cross was met by Giroud. Subasic produced an outstanding save to stop the 3rd goal. That was it.
Yet another glorious failure. The worst of recent times. Yet another exit from the last 16 stage. Sadness.
PLAYER RATINGS
13: David Ospina (7): Hardly had anything to do.
39: Hector Bellerin (7.5): Kept Martial quiet all game and made his usual forays forward.
6: Laurent Koscielny (8.5): Was superb. Stopped every Monaco attack. Compare him to Kompany gain please?
4: Per Mertesacker (7.5): Good performance by the German.
18: Nacho Monreal (7.5): Important part in the second half and was brilliant for most of the game.
34: Francis Coquelin (7.5): Did his defensive part well as usual.
19: Santi Cazorla (7.5): Worked extremely hard trying to set up a goal. Some of his dribbles were majestic at times.
17: Alexis Sanchez (6): Very poor again. May need a rest soon.
23: Danny Welbeck (7.5): Showed a lot of attacking intent, helped set up first as well.
11: Mesut Ozil (8): Was superb. Criticism of his performance not at all warranted. Should have scored a goal but otherwise was simply brilliant. Crying after the game shows his passion for us.
12: Olivier Giroud (8): Scored a goal and worked tirelessly all night.
SUBSTITUTES:
16: Aaron Ramsey (7.5): Scored a good goal.
14: Theo Walcott (6): Had the one attempt, but was invisible otherwise.
3: Kieran Gibbs (6): Brought on to help offensively in place of Monreal.
HIGHLIGHTS
After a dismal performance in the first leg where we lost 3-1 at home to a side that had scored just 4 goals in the 6 group stage games showed we were a defensive unit in shambles. But 14 wins in the last 16 games meant that game against Monaco was a one off.
Monaco had a 2 goal advantage and had scored 3 away goals. The last one by Carrasco in the last kick of the game after a mistake by Chamberlain. That goal could have proved decisive in determining the fate of the team.
Monaco had fit again star LB Kurzawa in the starting XI and he was one of their shining lights in a campaign that saw them lose their best players in Falcao and James Rodriguez.
Ospina continued in goal, while Bellerin started at RB with Nacho at LB. Mertesacker and Koscielny started in central defence. Coquelin was the holding midfielder. There was no lack of creativity in the side as Ozil and Cazorla also started.
In attack Alexis Sanchez started on the right flank with Welbeck in the left. Olivier Giroud who wanted to make up for his misses at the Emirates in the first leg started up front.
FIRST HALF
Arsenal needed to make a bright start and especially needed an early goal. But Monaco had the first chance of the game after some poor work by Sanchez in losing the ball led to a curling effort by Moutinho that just went wide.
Arsenal finally had some control of the game, dominating possession. But Monaco defence was proving too hard to break down. Giroud had the first decent chance for Arsenal heading an effort just wide.
With 10 minutes remaining of the half Arsenal took the lead on the night. It was that man Olivier Giroud. Welbeck put him through and his initial effort was saved. He smacked in the rebound to give Arsenal a hugely important goal to get back into the game.
Welbeck had a chance at the end of the half that was blocked by the superb Abdennour. Arsenal led 1-0 with hope being there for the miracle in Monaco.
SECOND HALF
Ozil forced a superb save from a free kick. Arsenal slowly but surely were getting back in the game as Monaco's defence, one of the best in Europe, were seemingly creaking under pressure by the forwards of the visitors.
Moutinho had another attempt on the counter attack but ended up scuffing the shot. Danger signs were there showing Monaco's counter attacking capabilities.
Ozil missed a glorious chance after a cross from Bellerin some what fortuitously found its way to him.
Theo Walcott on as a substitute for Welbeck had an attempt that hit the post after being put through by Monreal. Ramsey seized the rebound and rammed home to give Arsenal the crucial 2nd goal. The tie was level on aggregate, but Monaco had the away goals.
11 minutes were remaining and Arsenal needed the 1 goal. The moment came. An Ozil cross was met by Giroud. Subasic produced an outstanding save to stop the 3rd goal. That was it.
Yet another glorious failure. The worst of recent times. Yet another exit from the last 16 stage. Sadness.
PLAYER RATINGS
13: David Ospina (7): Hardly had anything to do.
39: Hector Bellerin (7.5): Kept Martial quiet all game and made his usual forays forward.
6: Laurent Koscielny (8.5): Was superb. Stopped every Monaco attack. Compare him to Kompany gain please?
4: Per Mertesacker (7.5): Good performance by the German.
18: Nacho Monreal (7.5): Important part in the second half and was brilliant for most of the game.
34: Francis Coquelin (7.5): Did his defensive part well as usual.
19: Santi Cazorla (7.5): Worked extremely hard trying to set up a goal. Some of his dribbles were majestic at times.
17: Alexis Sanchez (6): Very poor again. May need a rest soon.
23: Danny Welbeck (7.5): Showed a lot of attacking intent, helped set up first as well.
11: Mesut Ozil (8): Was superb. Criticism of his performance not at all warranted. Should have scored a goal but otherwise was simply brilliant. Crying after the game shows his passion for us.
12: Olivier Giroud (8): Scored a goal and worked tirelessly all night.
SUBSTITUTES:
16: Aaron Ramsey (7.5): Scored a good goal.
14: Theo Walcott (6): Had the one attempt, but was invisible otherwise.
3: Kieran Gibbs (6): Brought on to help offensively in place of Monreal.
HIGHLIGHTS