Arsenal v Monaco — The moments that mattered
Monaco’s disciplined approach frustrated Arsenal for the first 35 minutes of their Champions League encounter and restricted the Premier League side to a couple of half chances before grabbing a crucial away goal.
Arsenal had only themselves to blame, having done little to lift a subdued Emirates Stadium atmosphere when Joao Moutinho released Geoffrey Kondogbia galloping into space.
The Monaco midfielder’s shot took a wicked deflection off Per Mertesacker before flying into the net.
Arsenal could have little complaint as their lack of intensity and unwillingness to up the tempo was punished in the worst possible fashion.
A blistering start to the second period had Arsenal fans out of their seats and Monaco on the back foot for a time before an atrocious defensive lapse permitted the Ligue 1 side to double their lead.
Per Mertesacker’s decision to push up to the half-way line allowed Anthony Martial the freedom of North London and the 19-year old took full advantage by running into space and squaring the ball to an unmarked Dimitar Berbatov.
Unsurprisingly, the former Tottenham striker was coolness personified and effortlessly slammed the ball beyond David Ospina to make it 2-0.
Arsenal’s Champions League aspirations looked dead and buried after 90 minutes before second -half substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gained possession from a corner and thundered home a superb 25-yard shot.
Just when it seemed they had clawed their way back into the tie Arsenal inexplicably shot themselves in the foot with the concession of a third goal deep into injury time.
Oxlade-Chamberlain went from hero to villain by losing possession to Bernardo Silva who immediately worked the ball to Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco.
The Belgian winger fired a shot past Ospina from the edge of the box to rubberstamp Monaco’s richly deserved victory.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
