Champions League: Arsenal humiliated with a 3-1 home loss to Monaco

It was not the kind of outcome that everybody anticipated after Arsenal suffered a disgraceful 3-1
home defeat to AS Monaco in the first leg of their round of 16 Champions League clash.

When this draw was made back in December, most people were already looking forward to which team Arsenal would meet in the quarterfinals, alas, the result has now changed that perspective.

It was a game that started on a slow pace, devoid of excitement and invention from both teams at the Emirates, but gradually gathered momentum.

Particularly culpable was Arsene Wenger’s team, who despite playing at home, lacked the spark needed to lift the mood at the stadium.

Arsenal’s first real chance at goal came from Hector Bellerin who swung in a cross into the box but Olivier Giroud couldn’t apply a good finish.

The hallmark of the game changed when Monaco took a shock lead in the 36th minute of the game. French midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia struck a wonderful shot that took a deflection off Per Mertesacker to sail into the net past David Ospina.

It was a goal that stunned the Gunners, but they didn’t produce the response needed from people who were chasing the game.

At some point they were pedestrian, allowing the French team to grow in confidence. And considering that Monaco are the team that have conceded the least amount of goals so far, it looked arduous for Arsenal.

It got worse when Monaco scored a second away goal on the night. Former Manchester United striker, Dimitar Berbatov scored one of his sublime trademark goals, belting in the second goal for his side.

Defeat was from then inevitable, but there was a glimmer of hope when Arsenal pulled one back in 90th minute.

Substitute Alex Oxlaide Chamberlain netted a goal for Arsenal and as they chased the equaliser, they got stung again.

Another substitute, this time Monaco’s Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco with a tremendous finish put the final nail in Arsenal’s coffin for the third goal.

The defeat will leave a sour taste on Arsenal who would now need at least three unanswered goals in Monte Carlo if they are to go through.

Meanwhile in the other Champions League game of the night, Atletico Madrid got beaten away at the Bay Arena to Bayer Leverkusen.

Hakan Calhanoglu’s goal made the difference for the German team in the fixture as they held on for a 1-0 victory.