Monaco vs. Arsenal: Score, Grades, Reaction from Champions League

Arsenal claimed a 2-0 win in Monaco courtesy of Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey goals to level the two teams on aggregate at 3-3, but the London club crashed out of the Champions League on away goals.

Arsene Wenger’s side produced a spirited European display on Tuesday that was full of effort and endeavour, but they had too much ground to claw back after an abject effort in the first leg at the Emirates.

Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press

Arsenal can now focus on their Premier League campaign and defence of their FA Cup, but it will feel like a chance to advance further in European competition slipped through their grasp.

"

Terrific performance by Arsenal. Restored some pride at least. So many if onlys about that first leg

— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) March 17, 2015"

For Monaco, there is no fluke about their progression to the last eight, as they have the meanest defence in the competition and will be a threat to whomever they pull out in Friday’s draw.

Arsenal were the side needing goals to stand any chance of progressing, but it was Monaco who carried the greater threat in the early stages.

Monaco knocked the ball around with confidence, and some slick play set Anthony Martial free down the left. He crafted space and delivered the ball into Dimitar Berbatov, who cushioned a pass perfectly into the path of Joao Moutinho, but his shot from 20 yards drifted over the top.

The first glimpse of Arsenal as an attacking force arrived on the 14-minute mark when Hector Bellerin dashed down the right and stood up a cross for Giroud to attack. The striker made decent contact, but the effort drifted just wide.

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

Arsenal upped the tempo after Giroud’s near miss, and their pressure caused unease in a Monaco defence that had conceded only two goals in the Champions League prior to Tuesday’s game.

If Giroud was a shade unfortunate with his earlier header, he had a firm rub of the green with his goal 36 minutes in.

After Monaco had surprisingly given the ball away, Danny Welbeck played Giroud into the box. His initial shot was saved by Danijel Subasic, but the ball bounced back to the striker. He then threaded an excellent finish between two defenders, who had retreated onto the line, into the roof of the net.

"

That's a cracking finish from Giroud.

— Graham Ruthven (@grahamruthven) March 17, 2015"

The game was well and truly on, as Monaco began to wobble.

The Gunners came close to doubling their tally on the night on 38 minutes. Welbeck fired a shot on goal, but the ball struck the legs of Monaco defender Aymen Abdennour, who was laid flat on his back three yards from goal.

Wave after wave of Arsenal attacks followed before the break.

Alexis Sanchez was controversially booked for a dive in the box—it looked neither a dive nor a penalty—while Welbeck tormented Monaco down the right with his pace and direct running. He flashed a cross into the box that was too hot for Giroud to get decent contact on and hit a fierce shot that was well fielded by Subasic.

Michael Steele/Getty Images

The half-time break did not come at a good time for Arsenal, as Monaco looked a shade more composed at the start of the second 45.

Monaco grew into the contest and carried a greater threat in the second half, but a huge chance fell Arsenal’s way shortly past the hour mark.

Mesut Ozil, who once again thrilled and frustrated in equal measure, was on the edge of the box when a loose ball fell his way. He had space and time and struck his volley well, but the ball flew wide.

The game had the feel of a cup tie in the final 20 minutes, as Arsenal committed bodies forward to chase the game.

Wenger threw on Ramsey and Theo Walcott, and they combined to get Arsenal within one goal of a place in the last eight.

Walcott collected a pass from Nacho Monreal and thought he had scored, but his effort struck a post. Monaco had the chance to clear but made a complete hash of it, and Ramsey made them pay with an unerring low finish from 12 yards to double Arsenal's advantage.

Monaco were rocking like a heavyweight boxer on the ropes, and Arsenal pushed forward in search of the killer goal.

But as hard as they tried, and as shaky as Monaco looked, the Gunners were unable to craft a telling chance.

"

Arsenal out of Champions League in last-16 for 5th successive season

— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) March 17, 2015"

It was a spirited display and bodes well for the Gunners' future, but it does not mask the London club's disappointing performance from the first leg.

Notable Player Grades 

Alexis Sanchez: C

Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press

The work rate cannot be faulted, but the Chilean did not enjoy the run of the ball in Monaco.

Olivier Giroud: B

He was a threat throughout and showed his value to Arsenal with his goal, but he lost a mark for passing up a couple of other chances.

Mesut Ozil: C-

Ozil drifted through the game and did not have enough influence on the match. His biggest impact was to change shirts with a Monaco player at half-time. You can get away with that sort of thing if you’ve had a superb 45 minutes—not if you’ve been anonymous.

Dimitar Berbatov: C

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

He led the line with his usual verve but faded as the contest wore on and was sacrificed when Monaco attempted to close out the game.

Joao Moutinho: B+

He brings a touch of class to the midfield but is not afraid of rolling his sleeves up and doing the dirty work—which he did to help his side through.

Reaction

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker spoke to ITV Sport after the game:

"

If you look at the game we could have scored more than two, so we don’t look back on the first leg.

Today was a completely different day and we could have scored more, but that is the game.

If we continue to play like that we have a great chance in the FA Cup and the Premier League.

But if you have one bad game in he Champions League that is the beauty of the game as you are out.

"