How Arsenal's Champions League Exit at Monaco Unfolded on Twitter

Arsenal are no strangers to venturing into a Champions League round-of-16 second leg needing goals: In 2012, they needed to turn around a 4-0 deficit against Milan and managed a 3-0 consolation, while their 3-1 loss to Bayern Munich in 2013 was complemented by a 2-0 win in the return fixture in Germany. 

Finishing one goal shy of glory in the knockout stages is a familiar feeling for the Gunners, and one they experienced once again on Tuesday evening. 

Knowing that Arsene Wenger's side had to beat Monaco by two and score at least three, the pre-match mood on Twitter was a mixture of blind faith and incredulous mockery, all encapsulated within the trending topic #MiracleInMonaco:

"

Live images of @Steezus_Christ6 right now #MiracleInMonaco pic.twitter.com/5L1scnOG4s

— Chase Hite (@chase_hite) March 17, 2015"

"

Arsenal fans be like: #MiracleInMonaco pic.twitter.com/INFi5NMzhX

— Footy Jokes (@Footy_Jokes) March 17, 2015"

"

When #MiracleInMonaco doesn't happen pic.twitter.com/5hPP7CsOjt

— Emilie (@emiliej_) March 17, 2015"

As the game kicked off, Paul Scholes was trending in light of his appearance on ITV's coverage. Perhaps it is no surprise that an audience of Arsenal well-wishers did not give the former Manchester United star a warm welcome...

"

Oh it's Paul Scholes. I didn't recognise the irrelevance, pardon me.

— The Arsenal Horse (@AFCArsenalHorse) March 17, 2015"

Joining Scholesy in the UK coverage—and on Twitter's top trends—was Arsenal and Monaco legend Emmanuel Petit. You will not be shocked to learn he was viewed in a much more positive light...

"

Emmanuel Petit got hold of the holy grail then?, hasn't aged a day.

— Alec Wilson (@aaalec) March 17, 2015"

"

Whatever happens on the pitch, the missus is happy. Emmanuel Petit's pony tail is back. So that's ok then. #MONvAFC

— Jon Spurling (@JonSpurling1) March 17, 2015"

"

That awkward moment when you understand more of Emmanuel #Petit's English than Paul #Scholes' #MONvAFC

— James Freemantle (@J_Freemantle) March 17, 2015"

Upon his return to his old hunting ground of Monaco, Arsene Wenger decided to field a nearly identical line-up to the one that failed in the first leg. Gunners fans seemed particularly frustrated by the absence of Aaron Ramsey from the starting XI.

"

No Ramsey is a surprise to me - he does provide balance to our team.

— Danskin (@danskin1886) March 17, 2015"

The game kicked off to a fairly scrappy start, with Joao Moutinho having the first chance of the day after just three minutes. There was plenty of praise being dished out to the Portuguese midfielder.

"

Joao Moutinho is so underrated #MONARS #UCL

— Gavin Rooney (@GavinRooney93) March 17, 2015"

The first 30 minutes of the game passed without Arsenal's acquiring any of the goals they needed, so the attention turned to the co-commentary skills of Andy Townsend. The former Aston Villa man received a typical amount of vitriol for his analysis skills:

"

Andy Townsend:"I think Cazorla has been excellent at number 10 the last couple of months." How does this bloke have a job?

— S (@attwood10) March 17, 2015"

Meanwhile, Olivier Giroud was suffering such misfortunes in front of goal that "Unlucky Giroud" started to trend:

"

Unlucky giroud, that's better lads!

— Gooner News (@GoonerNews0) March 17, 2015"

However, in the 36th minute, the French striker's fortunes dramatically changed when one of his shots finally found the back of the net.

"

Giroud makes it 1-0 for Arsenal (2-3 agg for monaco) pic.twitter.com/vG0z3XxEZp

— Football Trolls (@Footballltrolls) March 17, 2015"

"

Giroud right now pic.twitter.com/ckhqTF94pO

— Just Football (@JustFutball) March 17, 2015"

Immediately, the phrase "That's 1" started trending:

"

That's 1 for @Arsenal just need another two! #COYG

— Tyler Davis (@Tyy96) March 17, 2015"

The half-time whistle blew with the #MiracleInMonaco dream still very much alive. Mesut Ozil, meanwhile, capped off a distinctly average first 45 with a much-maligned shirt swap with Geoffrey Kondogbia.

Fans were busy mulling over the deficit and controversially premature garment exchanges, but it did not escape their attention that the Stade Louis II was boasting some royalty of the rock'n'roll variety...   

"

If we don't go through I'm blaming U2

— GoonRambler (@GoonRambler) March 17, 2015"

The Gunners made it to the hour mark still needing two goals, but it became less and less likely that the vital strikes would come from Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean, who was booked for diving in the first half, was not garnering positive attention:

"

Get Theo on for Alexis. He can't be any worse.

— Ollie (@AFCOllie) March 17, 2015"

"

Please sub Alexis. He's not been good tonight and he's so close to being sent off.

— Daniel Arsenal Cowan (@thedanielcowan) March 17, 2015"

It was Danny Welbeck who eventually departed to make room for Theo Walcott as Wenger attempted to get his side back into the tie. However, the breakthrough finally came from another substitute: Ramsey thundered the ball into the back of the net after Walcott's shot was poorly cleared by Layvin Kurzawa.

Gunners fans were filled with hope, but deep down they knew how the script was supposed to play out. Arsenal finished 2-0 victors on the night, falling an away goal shy after mounting a knockout-stage comeback once again. Now, the north London side are free to concentrate on qualifying for next season's Champions League, where they can presumably look forward to yet another formulaic round-of-16 exit.