Arsenal bow out on away goals despite valiant win in Monaco

Arsenal's valiant attempt to make Champions League history ultimately came up short as a 2-0 victory at the Stade Louis II wasn't enough to deny Monaco a place in the last eight, with the French side coming through on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate draw.

The Gunners came into the clash knowing they faced the improbable task of becoming the first side since Ajax in 1969 to overturn a two-goal deficit after losing the home clash of a European Cup tie.

The 3-1 defeat at the Emirates left much work to be done and saw Olivier Giroud come in for some heavy criticism, but it was the France striker who gave them a glimmer of hope when he crashed a rebound into the roof of the net on 36 minutes.

The Gunners lay siege to the Monaco goal for long spells and eventually pulled level on aggregate deep in the second half when substitute Aaron Ramsey drilled into the corner after Theo Walcott had hit the post.

Giroud then had a great chance to send Arsenal through but was denied by Danijel Subasic as the French outfit held on to progress to the quarter-finals on away goals.

PRE-MATCH: Arsenal make one change from the first leg with Monreal replacing Gibbs at left back. Notably, Danny Welbeck starts, as does Olivier Giroud. The latter came in for some heavy criticism following his display when the sides clashed at the Emirates. Monaco recall Jérémy Toulalan following his one-game suspension. Former Spurs and Man United striker, Dimitar Berbatov lines up in attack.

14' - ARSENAL CHANCE! Hector Bellerin rampages down the right and hangs a cross up towards Giroud who plants a header just wide of the far post.

36' - GOAL! MONACO 0-1 ARSENAL. Giroud is sent clear. He sees his first shot saved but hammers the rebound into the roof of the net. Game on? (Monaco lead 3-2 on agg).

38' - SO CLOSE! A left-wing cross drops for Welbeck on the edge of the area. The striker lets fly but sees his goalbound shot hit Aymen Abdennour and somehow deflect wide. It could have gone anywhere. Let off for the hosts.

65' - ARSENAL CHANCE! Ramsey involved straight away on the right. The cross from Bellerin drops to Ozil on the edge of the box but he flashes his volley wide.

79' - GOAL! MONACO 0-2 ARSENAL It's Ramsey!!!!!! The Welshman takes advantage of a poor clearance to drill a low shot into the corner after Walcott's shot came back off the post. Game on!!! (3-3 on aggregate).

84' - ARSENAL CHANCE! Giroud meets an angled free kick with a stabbed effort from close range but Subasic somehow claws it away! So close!

Monaco concede at home for the first time in the CL this season.

Arsenal had 70.75% possession against Monaco, their most dominant CL display since November 2010 versus Braga.

The Gunners are unbeaten in their last four CL last-16 second leg matches but have been eliminated each time.

Olivier Giroud is the first French player to score against Monaco in the CL since Djibril Cisse in September 2004.

AS Monaco make the last eight for the third time. Of Ligue 1 sides only Lyon and PSG (four occasions) have achieved this feat more.

Monaco have gone through against English clubs in their last four knockout encounters.

 Arsenal kept only their fourth clean sheet in 32 away games in the Champions League.

Arsène Wenger won his first match in eight meetings against Monaco as manager (W1 D4 L3).

(Stats courtesy of Opta and Infostrada)

TALKING POINT. That third goal at the Emirates. Over the years Arsenal have made a habit of making life difficult for themselves in this competition and this tie was a case of same old story. A woeful display at the Emirates saw them trailing 2-1 in stoppage time after nabbing a late lifeline, but they didn't show enough maturity and conceded a third which ultimately proved to be decisive. The headlines will be all about Arsenal's brave effort, but in truth they should have eased through this last-16 tie. Sadly, another opportunity goes begging for Wenger and co on the European stage.

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal). Dictated the play in a dominant Arsenal display, finding the passes to release the likes of Welbeck, Sanchez and Giroud who terrorised a mean Monaco backline throughout.

MONACO: Subasic 7; Fabinho 6, Wallace 7, Abdennour 6, Kurzawa 6; Toulalan 6, Moutinho 6, Kondogbia 6; Dirar 5, Martial 5, Berbatov 5. Subs: Bernardo Silva 6, Ferreira-Carrasco 7, Elderson n/a.

ARSENAL: Ospina 6, Bellerin 7, Mertesacker 7, Koscielny 7, Monreal 7, Coquelin 6, Cazorla 8, Welbeck7, Ozil 8, Sanchez 7, Giroud 7... Subs: Ramsey 7, Walcott 7, Gibbs n/a.