Arsenal vs. Monaco, Champions League 2015: Gunners stunned, concede 3 away goals

He has a future in TV punditry ahead of him.

(h/t @charlieparrish)

But just went the hosts seemed to be settling into the game, they went and remembered that they are Arsenal. Centre-back Mertesacker decided to take a wander upfield, only to be caught out of position by a brilliantly incisive pass from Fabinho. His through ball sent Anthony Martial tearing down the left, with the Frenchman’s square pass leaving Dimitar Berbatov with a very simple finish for 2-0.

Arsenal did manage to pull a goal back, though it didn’t come until stoppage time. Substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain found sufficient space on the edge of the penalty area to curl the ball into the top corner. It was a deserved reward after they’d blown a couple of great chances, but their joy was short lived.

Things that are awesome about this goal:

1. Geoffrey Kondogbia hit the snot out of it.

2. This was the first real positive thing Monaco did, and it wasn’t even a great chance.

3. An away goal for Monaco might actually make this tie interesting.

4. DAVID OSPINA’S REACTION!

5. Really, David Ospina’s reaction though. Amazing. He’s so sad about that deflection.

Arsenal welcome surprise Group C winner AS Monaco to the Emirates Stadium for the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie. It’s a favorable draw on paper for the English club, especially after they finished second in their group, but underestimating Monaco would be a bad idea for the Gunners.

The key to the match will likely come down to how effectively Arsenal’s attack will be at breaking down Monaco’s stubborn defense. While the Ligue 1 side only scored four goals in the group stage, their defense limited opponents to just one over six matches. That impressive number will give Monaco hope, but the Gunners potent attack will test Leonardo Jardim’s side.

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger takes on his former club AS Monaco in the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday, with the Ligue 1 side looking to put themselves into a position to progress into the quarterfinals for the first time since they made a surprise run to the final in 2004 (only to be beaten by José Mourinho’s Porto). Alas, the glory days at Monaco that threatened to return under the ownership of the wealthy Russian Dmitry Rybolovlev haven’t materialised, and the Gunners will be fully expecting to win this tie.

They’ll be looking to use home advantage to maximum effect in the first leg at the Emirates; Arsenal have won nine in a row on home turf, and only conceded three goals along the way. For a team that still looks remarkably dodgy both in midfield and at the back, that’s not bad going. Monaco head into this tie also in surprisingly good form, but they are undoubtedly still outsiders.