Monaco v Arsenal - as it happened

1. Arsenal knocked out on away goals
2. Gunners cannot make late pressure pay
3. 3-1 home defeat proves costly

Cagey. Tense. Tight. We could even gave a penalty shootout in tonight's other Champions League tie.

I'm knocking off for the night but join us over here for Atletico Madrid v Bayer Leverkusen. To the end.

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Stephen Gilmore: Can't criticise players in any way today. Really professional, mature and controlled.

Mark Robinson: Remember those days when we would shut up shop at Highbury in the home leg? I do. Just.

Clive Moonpress: No sympathy for Arsenal's repetitive 'could haves' and 'should haves'. They'll call this bravery, but in fact it's the opposite.

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Manchester City are now the last Premier League side standing - and they have a 2-1 deficit to try and overturn in the Nou Camp.

Join us for that one tomorrow night...

Former Man City and England full-back Danny Mills

5 live Sport

"As an Arsenal fan, is third or fourth and a Champions League last eight place enough for you? Do you not want more? Do you not want to get to that next level? Because that is the gripe about Arsene Wenger, that he hasn't taken this team on to challenge the likes of Man City and Chelsea."

Arsenal goalscorer Aaron Ramsey on whether it's a missed opportunity: "I think so, we've always gone out to Bayern Munich and Barcelona at this stage but no disrespect to Monaco, we thought we'd have a good opportunity to qualify but we gave ourselves a tough test from the first leg. It's nearly again, but it's not enough."

Former Man City and England full-back Danny Mills

5 live Sport

"Think about the great teams in Europe. Do Arsenal have the right mentality, the game-management and the character? They should have seen out the first leg 2-1. This was a 180 minute game. Do the Gunners have an arrogance, naivety, a lack of experience on those big moments?"

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"The default position when a team gets knocked out of Europe is to have a dig, to have a go. But Arsenal did so well tonight. They put together a brilliant 90 minutes, getting two goals away from home against a team that doesn't concede goals. But this is a rarefied atmosphere. A lack of concentration at the end of the first leg lost Arsenal this tie."

Hornets Buzzing

Crazy scenes in the crazy Championship, which is now headed by Watford. Norwich concede and then equalise inside stoppage-time, Derby are no the slide and Brentford stay in the play-off picture.

Read all about it here.

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Sule Sadiq: Arsenal do this every year. Rubbish in the first leg, but outstanding in the second. Don't know which to be proud or disappointed.

Abhishek: Same old for Arsenal. Lose the first leg by playing badly, come out swinging in the second leg. Lose on an away goal. Repeat.

Hassan Tambuwal: Arsenal will never lift the Champions League trophy. They will be in it every season, but they will never win it.

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Join the debate at #bbcfootball

The consensus from fans and pundits seems to be that Arsenal should have knocked out Monaco easily at this stage. Do you agree?

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Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"The Arsenal fans here were impressed with their team's effort - there was a lot of applause.

"I wonder about the decision to leave Mesut Ozil on the pitch in that number 10 position. He was poor, his final ball wasn't good at all. He had to be brilliant tonight, core to everything. Ozil was very average tonight. He tried hard but I wanted Santi Cazorla in there. If I have any complaint about Arsenal tonight, that's it."

Former Man City and England full-back Danny Mills

5 live Sport

"Arsenal gave it everything they had. It would have been fantastic for them to go through. They tried hard, they got goals, they created chances but they couldn't find that final touch.

"You have to look back at that first leg, falling 3-1 behind. Sometimes you need that little bit of luck, and perhaps Arsenal didn't get that this evening."

Per 'magnanimous' Mertesacker.

Player reaction

Reuters

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker: "The best team went through. Monaco deserved it because they played much better in the first leg. We played well today but it was a massive deficit, and it wasn't enough tonight. We came here and tried absolutely everything, and when you look at the game we could have scored more than two.

"Monaco deserve it and that's absolutely fine. They caused a lot of problems away from home. We have to admit that we regret the first game.

"But if we continue to play like that we'll do well in the FA Cup and the league. But play as badly as we did in the first game and you're out of the Champions League. Monaco deserved it."

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James Fairhall: It's a disappointing outcome, but reassuring to know that the boys put up a fight to get back in the tie tonight.

LFC Way: Typical Arsenal. Had they put this effort in the first leg, they would have been coasting into last eight!

Madhavan Raman: That third goal at the Emirates killed Arsenal. Going out to Barcelona or Bayern is one thing, but Monaco? Chance missed.

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Extra-time

In tonight's other Champions League game, it is going to extra-time. Atletico Madrid lead German side Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 on the night and you can follow it to conclusion here.

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Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Reuters

"Arsenal superb tonight but all roads lead back to the madness of the first leg at home - especially the naivety of conceding the third goal."

'Arsenal should have scored more'

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"Arsenal did not loser this tie tonight, but they lost it in the first leg through lax defending and poor play. You could be pernickety and point out little things they did wrong tonight, but they did win 2-0 and should have scored more.

"They should be going through - Arsenal are a better team than Monaco. But they aren't going through."

Chelsea went out on away goals last week. Arsenal join the club now.

FULL-TIME

AFP

So near, and yet so far from Arsenal. They were the better side tonight but that third away goal they conceded in the first leg always seemed likely to cost them. And it did.

Crowd scene in the penalty area, great defending again from Aymen Abdennour.

Last minute, Arsenal. Sixty seconds to score.

There's still time. But not much. Monaco keeper Danijel Subasic falls on the loose ball and takes his time to get back up again.

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"You've got to applaud Arsenal, they have done almost everything tonight, but they really need to dig deep and move the ball quicker.

"The Gunners just need one more decent chance - they've deserved it, with the work they've done and the chances they've created. Arsenal deserve one more opportunity."

Tired legs, tired minds out there. One more goal needed. Monaco have a goal-kick.

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Mark Wilkins: C'mon Arsenal, time to chuck the kitchen sink at 'em...

Sam Bourke: I know there's a carpark below the pitch, but Monaco seem to have parked all their buses in front of their goal for 90mins.

Mungo Russell: English football so needs a goal now in Monaco.

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Arsenal have it, they refuse to just lump it in the middle. Misguided belief that they will craft a chance? Or genius?

INJURY TIME

AP

FIVE MINUTES ADDED ON! Where has that come from? Can Arsenal capitalise?

Per Mertesacker is finally waved up front...

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"Arsenal have to put Per Mertesaker up there - there are only moments to go! I know it's against the principles of Arsene Wenger but the only way to go now is aerial."

Arsenal going out on away goals. Unless. Unless they can score one more...

Aaron Ramsey has a shot well blocked inside the area! Half chance. Into the last two minutes of regulation time.

Arsenal cross it. Monaco head it away...

Commentator Alan Green

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"Is this going to end in gallant failure for Arsenal, winning the game but narrowly going out?"

Arsenal have had 70% of possession tonight. They need to create one more good chance in the last four or five minutes. Monaco have the ball though and they are doing a good job of keeping it in the corner.

Getty Images

Arsenal FC tweet: Aaron Ramsey's goal was Arsenal's 300th goal in European competition under Arsene Wenger.

It's easy to be wise after the event but a lot of people in the BBC Sport office were calling a 2-0 win for the Arsenal tonight. So near, yet so far.

Arsenal have five minutes plus added time to find a winner...

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"Monaco are not getting up the park at all now. They are just trying to survive, hanging on by their fingernails."

GREAT SAVE!

Empics

Chance! Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez get in each other's way as they attack a deep free-kick and Danijel Subasic does really well to react and pus it out.

EIGHT MINUTES left..

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Said Madrid: One more goal and it will be the greatest of comebacks in Champions League!

Richard Parfitt: Well this could be exciting! If in doubt, send in the Welsh.

Kevin Jamieson: Squeaky derriere time...!

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SUBSTITUTION

When does Per Mertesacker go up front? There's nobody for him to mark at the back. Get him up! Aaron Ramsey almost ferrets a way through a gap but he's well closed down.

Arsenal's final change sees Kieran Gibbs replace Nacho Monreal at left-back. Strange one.

Monaco don't have a forward and the last thing any team wants is to just hang on for 10 minutes. This will feel much longer for the hosts.

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

Getty Images

"We're going to have a hell of a finish! I'm really looking forward to these final 10 minutes - just what we wanted. Arsenal now must apply as much pressure as possible, and wasn't Ramsey a good introduction from his manager?"

GOAL

AFP

There's one! Two substitutes at the thick of it as Theo Walcott side-foots one against the base of the post, Monaco defender Layvin Kurzawa rushes his clearance and can only pass it straight to Aaron Ramsey. The Welshman takes a touch and hammers the ball into the corner.

Arsenal going out on away goals as it stands. They have 10 minutes to find a winner...

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"We know the quality Mesut Ozil has. When you are playing just behind the striker, in the number 10 position, you must be impactful. He simply hasn't been"

Alexis Sanchez goes down easily again and is waved to his feet. Arsenal applying pressure, but not in a very convincing manner. For all of their play Monaco keeper Danijel Subasic has only had to make four saves.

Four more than David Ospina has, admittedly.

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"Theo Walcott only has 17 minutes to do something - he must work so hard to create what he can."

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Kieran Squire: Why do Arsenal never shoot?

Eddie: Can we please shoot on sight when near the Monaco goal? Too many chances going begging.

Matthew Harris: This is the part of the game where it starts to feel like a death-march of inevitability...

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Theo Walcott's first involvement sees him chase a long ball over the top, they want a backpass given as the defender cuts across him and toes it back to goalkeeper Danijel Subasic, but it looked like more of an interception than a pass to me. The temptation could be to chip it over the top for Walcott now though. Turn them round...

SUBSTITUTION

Theo Walcott replaces Danny Welbeck. Can the England man make a difference? He missed some great chances against West Ham.

Arsenal have 20 minutes to score twice.

Monaco take off Dimitar Berbatov and send on Bernardo Silva. You can accuse Berbatov of being lazy, not working hard etc but he's made more passes than anyone for Monaco tonight. The playmaker is off though.

The game looks very open now. Arsenal look dangerous but equally as fragile. Aaron Ramsey sidesteps his man to open up a chance but he can't get a shot off quickly enough.

Santi Cazorla is now playing as the deepest midfielder for Arsenal but I'm not sure he's kidding anyone that he could make a tackle if he needed to. It's time to gamble though, no point dying wondering...

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AP

Tony Kent: Never thought I would say this, but bring on Walcott.

Jay Matthams: Mesut Ozil the tempo killer.

Sholly: Arsenal will never progress beyond round 16 if they continue this way. The Champions League is a two-legged game.

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CLOSE!

Chance! A cross from Hector Bellerin is flicked on by Danny Welbeck, the ball sits up for Mesut Ozil to strike it, 20 yards out. Strike it he does, hits it beautifully on the half-volley but he cuts across it slightly and drives it wide.

SUBSTITUTION

Arsenal had one defensive-minded midfielder no the pitch, they now have zero. Aaron Ramsey comes on in place of Francis Coquelin.

Commentator Alan Green

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"There's a guy in front of me who's wearing a full head-to-toe Chelsea tracksuit. He keeps doing laps of the stadium and is smoking very strong-looking French cigarettes. What's his interest in this match?"

Monaco having a good spell now, this is killing the clock if nothing else. Arsenal still have 30 minutes to score twice.

SUBSTITUTION

Beware the pace. Monaco bring on Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco, he who scored the third goal in the first leg. Could he hurt them again? Alexis Sanchez then brings down his man with a sliding tackle - he's already been booked and is relieved to see no further action.

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

Empics

"There was a minute-and-a-half of defensive madness there from Arsenal! They just couldn't get the ball cleared. They finally managed it, and they must regain control of this game."

This free-kick is actually further out, Santi Cazorla decides to put in a deep cross and it's very well defended again. Monaco then counter attack for the first time in a long time, Dimitar Berbatov leads the troops upfield, they work it wide and only a smart header from Laurent Koscielny gets the ball clear.

Arsenal then make two or three awful attempts to clear the ball! Wretched stuff, swing and a miss and Joao Moutinho gets a shot in which is blocked. Composure. Gone!

Another free-kick for Arsenal, same spot 20 yards or so out...

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BBC

Ash Williams: Wenger not subbing Ozil for half time shirt swap shows he's weak. Yes they need a result, but he can't let that go unpunished.

Thomas Hayward: People getting their knickers in a twist over shirt swapping. Couldn't care less - it was half time.

Noel Fitzpatrick: Maybe Ozil will play the second half in a Monaco shirt! As Baldrick would say, 'I have a cunning plan'!"

As cunning as a fox who's just been appointed Professor of Cunning?

Two goals needed in 35 minutes for Arsenal. They have Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott available on the bench. When would you make the change?

GREAT SAVE!

Mesut Ozil to take - and take well! Curling effort which is tipped over the top by a flying Danijel Subasic!

YELLOW CARD

Geoffrey Kondogbia is booked for a late challenge. Free-kick for Arsenal...

Good play again from Mesut Ozil and then Alexis Sanchez to work a shooting opportunity but Santi Cazorla overruns the ball somewhat. There's so much attacking talent out there for Arsenal. Are you starting to believe the comeback could really be on?

Dimitar Berbatov just tackled someone!

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"Arsenal were creating chances at the end of the first half and they didn't want it to stop. But you knew Monaco would perk up a bit after a talking to in the interval from their manager. Arsenal need to pick things up."

That was half a chance for Olivier Giroud, but the Monaco defence shut him down very well. Mesut Ozil, fresh shirt on, works some space with a lovely touch and then wins a corner. Get the big men up!

Arsenal create an instant chance as a cross from the left runs on to Olivier Giroud, he is closed down and shanks his shot wide...

KICK-OFF

Here we go - Arsenal need two more. At least two more...

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is not happy about that Alexis Sanchez penalty appeal/yellow card for diving. He's been in the ear of referee Svein Moen at half-time.

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BBC

Terry Lambert: Ozil's absolutely disgraceful, swapping shirts like it's a charity game.

Ashley Tezoo: Mesut Ozil's not really getting into the spirit of #MiracleInMonaco with that half time shirt swap...

Alex Docherty: I don't personally have a problem with shirt swapping. The Monaco player comes over and asks for the shirt. Not an issue.

To swap or not to swap...?

Arsenal had eight attempts on goal in that first half, Monaco just one. The hosts will be worried if the Gunners get a second...

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Toby Goodman: Where was this Arsenal at Arsenal?

Gabriel Counsell: Difficult to see how this Monaco team have such a good defensive record. Holes everywhere!

Roberta-lyn Grant: If Arsenal manage to overcome this deficit and progress, I think they'll win the Champions League this year.

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Former Man City and England full-back Danny Mills

5 live Sport

"Apart from the first 10 minutes when they looked a little nervous, Arsenal have played exceptionally well. I might bring Ramsey on for Ozil, allowing Cazorla to push on, have a free role and have an influence on this game.

"But Arsenal have done everything right up to now. Start the second half the same way and they'll get another goal. And Monaco will get more and more nervous as the game goes on."

Cherries on top

Will we see Bournemouth in the Premier League next season? It looks very much that way.

As half-time whistles continue to toot around the country it's the Cherries who are on top of the Championship table.

Read all about it here.

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"Arsenal will be very hopeful indeed. They are by a country mile the better team here, and have created some very good chances as well as getting the goal. What an encouraging half from Arsenal. They have done the minimum they had to do. Now they need to crank things up in the second half."

HALF-TIME

Reuters

Getty Images

The whistle goes with the Gunners on song. Mesut Ozil swaps shirts with a Monaco defender as they come off - a lot of people won't like to see that...

Chance! Unlucky Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck drills a cross at him, like a shot, and Giroud gets a thigh to it but can only steer it at goalkeeper Danijel Subasic.

Seconds later Welbeck has another shot from a tight angle. Arsenal ending the half well on top.

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"Joao Moutinho was just fouled then, and went to ground clutching his face. Coquelin, who made the challenge, was nowhere near his face. I think the referee should have punished Moutinho. That's a yellow card for me, because that's as much simulation as a dive."

One nil up at Monaco at half-time? Arsene Wenger would have settled for that. Plenty of time to really go at it in the second half.

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"I'm not convinced that was a penalty, but I'm not convinced it was a yellow card either. And the referee was in a good position.

"At the moment, this game is set up in just the way we wanted. But is it all set up for glorious failure?"

YELLOW CARD

Reuters

Alexis Sanchez is booked for a dive - Arsenal want a penalty.

The Chile forward does go down pretty easily but he was touched by Fabinho. He's furious, Sanchez. No penalty though.

Olivier Giroud may be getting more than a 2/10 from newspaper L'Equipe tomorrow. He's proving a menace to society up there. Arsenal need two goals in 50 minutes to progress.

As gambles in Monte Carlo go, it's a pretty good one. The house always wins though - doesn't it?

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Joe Wedgwood: Yes Giroud! How's that to stick it to his critics! C'mon Arsenal!

Nathan: Arsenal ahead, but I just can't see them keeping a clean sheet this match.

Jerry Elumeze: Arsenal have lacked belief. Perhaps the goal will change that...

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Arsenal flying now, confidence coursing through the side. The home crowd are calling for the half-time whistle. They've got minutes and minutes to hang on yet...

CLOSE!

Almost a second! Danny Welbeck middles a shot from the edge of the box, catches it as sweet as you could ever wish to hit a ball, it's flying in but hits defender Aymen Abdennour on the floor!

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

Reuters

"I like that from Giroud! He has been putting himself about tonight, working his socks off. That wasn't the most beautiful goal you've ever seen but such clever use of his physique. It was a really nice finish on the rebound, into the roof of the net.

"We wanted that to happen, we wanted to see the question asked of Monaco. The hosts started well but have been second-best for the last 20 minutes. They are beginning to lose their shape, which I didn't expect to see."

GOAL

EPA

Back of the net! It's a wonderful finish at the end of more scrappy play. Danny Welbeck sends Olivier Giroud in behind the Monaco backline, goalkeeper Danijel Subasic saves his first effort which spins up and hits Giroud on the head. He turns, steadies himself and then with two defenders on the line, fires into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

He took it brilliantly.

Monaco look a little bit unsure of how to approach this one - a goal for Arsenal would really kick this game up a notch. As it is it's all a bit scrappy.

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

Getty Images

"Dimitar Berbatov is languid. He's such a stylish player, and at the moment his attitude out there is good. But we've all seen games where his performances can best be described as 'slack'."

Elsewhere in Europe

Getty Images

There is one other game going on this evening in the Champions League - and there has been a goal. Last season's finalists Atletico Madrid take a 1-0 lead against Bayer Leverkusen through Mario Suarez to make it 1-1 on aggregate. Going to penalties as it stands - long way to go, mind.

Follow that game here.

A cross from Alexis Sanchez is helped back in by Danny Welbeck, Olivier Giroud does well to let it drop but before he can get a shot off Aymen Abdennour does really well to manoeuvre his body into a blocking position.

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James: Arsenal need to up the tempo. At least have a go. Come on Arsenal, go for it!

Paul in Newcastle: I hate to say, but Arsenal don't look up for this...

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Francis Coquelin breaks up a Monaco attack and gets Arsenal up and running again. They've had an encouraging 10-minute spell but they need to cap it with a goal. Alexis Sanchez's cross is well cut out by Wallace.

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"Koscielny succeeded in getting on the end of that flick-on, even if he was offside. More and more little rays of hope for Arsenal, which must be leading to Monaco feeling jittery."

HITS THE WOODWORK

Reuters

A terrible miss! Laurent Koscielny smashes against the crossbar from just a few yards out after Monaco make a hash of clearing a free-kick. A big chance for the Gunners. The offside flag was up but that free-kick was flicked on by a Monaco head!

Moments later Danny Welbeck almost gets to a ball ahead of Monaco keeper Danijel Subasic but he can't sort his feet out.

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"Better play from Arsenal. They have had good possession for the last five minutes. The likes of Cazorla are getting on the ball, and Ozil is trying to get into the game too. But the German's final ball is still lacking, at least by his high standards."

This is better from Arsenal, they've raised it a notch. Alexis Sanchez loses his man with a lovely little turn but when he gets it out wide Monaco defend well again.

AFP

Lovely effort! Olivier Giroud picks out a crafty cross from the left, Santi Cazorla watches it right onto his instep and laces in a strike but the wonderfully-named Brazilian, Wallace, spreads his leg out to make the block. Cazorla with a very, very optimistic penalty shout. Nowhere near his hands.

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Dennis Ethan: Both teams playing cautious football, which suits the hosts.

Tony Stewart: Arsenal are acting like they are the ones who are 3-1 up! If you're going to try and win a game, try and attack at least!

Rupert Whicker: Berbatov with best first touch I've seen. Who needs to run when you're Midas?

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Danny Welbeck gets free on the left momentarily but his touch is poor, ragged and the chance has gone. Arsenal growing into the game though.

Getty Images

U2 in the house. They were lucky to get tickets weren't they? Arsenal still haven't found what they're looking for. They need some elevation. Etc...

CLOSE!

AFP

Chance! Arsenal finally craft an opening as right-back Hector Bellerin swings in a cross and Olivier Giroud climbs well, flicking a header wide of the top corner.

He got 2/10 in the French press after that first leg. I'll give him 6/10 for that effort.

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"If Arsenal are to win this they need to play at a Premier League pace. But that's not always Arsenal's forte, and in any case that's not usually the Arsenal way. Add to that the fact that Monaco actually look that bit fitter, or at least more physical.

"The Gunners cannot get on the ball and get it to their creative players, They are not controlling this game at all. Where are Arsenal strong? Technical players in the midfield. But they are being ratted off the ball."

Nobody has scored three goals against Monaco - at home - for three-and-a-half years. Arsenal don't look like ending that run in these early stages. Tentative stuff from the Gunners.

Balloon adore

Choices, choices. Watch the Champions League action, or follow the BBC Sport live text? Or enjoy a St Patrick's Day pint of stout? Or scoff your birthday cake if you're 29 today? Well, if you're Man City striker Edin Dzeko you first play with your inflatables...

EdDzeko

Rash. Rash stuff from Francis Coquelin as he slides into a tackle he can never win, taking out Joao Moutinho on the slide. He's lucky not to be booked really.

Monaco look very content so far. Arsenal haven't hurt them early on.

There's not even the slightest hint of tracking back from Dimitar Berbatov when he loses possession. He has others to do his running for him. Has there been a man with a better first touch though?

Danny Welbeck's first touch is a laboured one and Arsenal's first foray into enemy territory breaks down. Olivier Giroud then gets a stern ticking off from the referee after clattering Aymen Abdennour.

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"What is slightly psychologically damaging for Arsenal is that already you can see Monaco do not intend to sit back, but instead are challenging the Arsenal midfield already, pressurising from the off."

Dimitar Berbatov jogs in behind the Arsenal defence but he's offside, pretty steady start in what sounds like a subdued stadium. Arsenal in a neat blue kit tonight. Monaco then bring the noise, bring the skill with a slick move, Berbatov lays it off to Joao Moutinho, and he curls over the bar.

'No point exiting with a whimper'

Former Man City and England full-back Danny Mills

5 live Sport

"Arsene Wenger had to go with this attacking line-up. He had to go for it, because there's no point exiting this competition with a whimper. Might as well go out with a bang!"

'Arsenal should not feel intimidated'

Commentator Alan Green

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"Trust me, this is one of the least intimidating arenas in football. It is a small ground despite the money spent on it, and there's a running track. Arsenal should not feel intimidated - far from it."

KICK-OFF

AFP

We are under way...

'Football is not predictable'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on ITV Sport: "We have quality and desire. The stats and the numbers are against us but the desire is there. Let's give it our best shot and see how we come out of it.

"We can hurt Monaco by playing at a high pace and using our strikers well. We have to be technically very good to work good attacking positions.

"I don't expect any weakness in Monaco - we've just promised ourselves to give absolutely everything and produce the best quality we can to give us a chance.

"I don't expect Monaco to wobble, but football is not predictable. Let's turn that unpredictability to our advantage."

LINE-UPS

BBC

Monaco: Subasic, Fabinho, Wallace Santos, Abdennour, Kurzawa, Toulalan, Kondogbia, Joao Moutinho, Dirar, Martial, Berbatov. Subs: Stekelenburg, Carvalho, Matheus Carvalho, Bernardo Silva, Carrasco, Echiejile, Toure.

Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ozil, Welbeck, Sanchez, Giroud. Subs: Szczesny, Gibbs, Gabriel, Walcott, Ramsey, Flamini, Chambers.

Referee: Svein Oddvar Moen (Haugesund)

Here they come. Fire up the synth strings, Champions League anthem time...

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says 'the stats are against us' but he is still pretty chipper. Can they do it? He has belief.

GlennHoddle

Former Monaco midfielder and England manager Glenn Hoddle: "Went to Monaco recently with my old team-mate Mark Hateley. Great to visit the club again."

Great first touch, our Glenn...

Football Focus

Former England full-back Stuart Pearce: "Arsenal simply must score in the first half of the game. I do think they'll win this game, but they have to score three goals.

"In terms of English clubs, Arsenal and Liverpool are the two form teams in the Premier League. They are in a really good place at the moment, but chasing three goals and not two really hurts them."

Follow the football

A quick reminder of tonight's offerings then. Stay here for every tackle, bobble and (hopefully) goal from Monaco v Arsenal.

If you want to know exactly what's going on in the other Champions League game between Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen, click here.

If the Championship is where your focus is, get on to this page.

Lee Dixon says on ITV that if Arsenal get to half-time at 0-0 there's no need to panic. But the Gunners have got to try and score early on haven't they? Surely?

We don't get many sailing references. Top work, Forrest...

Greatest sporting comebacks

Getty Images

Arsenal don't quite need a miracle tonight, but something close to. What sporting history can they draw upon?

Lord Flashheart: St Patrick's Day, 2009. Arsenal had an FA Cup replay against Hull and won. Different opposition, but perhaps more luck of the green!

Kuntal Majumdar: Arsenal, take inspiration from Chelsea's 2012 campaign, 3-1 down after the first leg, went on to win the title.

Forrest Johnson: Top sporting comeback? Hard to beat Oracle Team USA winning eight straight races to defend sailing's America's Cup in 2013.

Send us your views via #bbcfootball, on the BBC Sport Facebook page or via text on 81111 (UK only).

Better than Real?

Empics

Monaco have won 75% of their Champions League games at their Stade Louis-II (18 out of 24). Only Real Madrid have a better ratio on home soil in the history of the competition (76%, 77 out of 101).

That's that - we're not going to get a better word than bedazzled in this page tonight. Game, set and the match to Philippe Auclair.

'Flabbergasted, bedazzled'

BBC Radio 5 live

Philippe Auclair, French football reporter, on 5 live Sport: "The French football media were flabbergasted, bedazzled by the first leg result. Nobody was expecting that. Everyone thought Monaco had drawn the shortest of short straws in Arsenal.

"And they were bereft of first-team players. But Monaco do possess some very, very fine footballers, and they are envied in France."

A few last words from the Arsenal coaching staff to the players as they finalise their pre-match warm-ups. Francis Coquelin could be very busy tonight in an extremely attacking midfield. Live by the sword, die by the sword...

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Sule Sadiq: I'm shocked Wenger's starting Welbeck over Theo Walcott. Thought with the Ox out, it would be the perfect opportunity for Walcott.

Will Robinson: I have a weird feeling Arsenal will go through tonight. A 3-0 win.

Christopher Jack: It's very unwise for Arsenal to play with so few midfielders tonight. Control the game and the goals will come, not the other way around...

Send us your views via #bbcfootball, on the BBC Sport Facebook page or via text on 81111 (UK only).

'Intensity and passion'

Former Man City and England full-back Danny Mills

5 live Sport

"Monaco have a fantastic defence, they are yet to concede a goal at home in the Champions League. But tonight is all about Arsenal's intensity and passion. Giroud, Welbeck, Sanchez, Cazorla can all get at Monaco and create chances, but I think Arsenal have to score in the first half or they'll get panicky."

Getty Images

The eyes of the world are watching.

Name the three French internationals on (what I presume is) French TV...

'Enjoy it, go out and attack'

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin

at Stade Louis II for 5 live Sport

"Arsenal need to have a right good go at this. Nothing to lose. Enjoy it, go out and attack. If Arsenal can go out and play their best, which they didn't in the first game, then there's a possibility."

Man City

From the Manchester City press conference, Yaya Toure: "We have a good team who can produce a good work rate. We have a complicated task, but we will try to get through it.

"We will try and do it for the fans and the club and for the people who continue to help us."

Tune in NOW!

BBC Radio 5 live

Champions League football returns to the nation's home of live sport. The build-up is under way, with commentary from 19:45 GMT courtesy of Alan Green and former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin.

You can listen to BBC Radio 5 live at the top of this page, via the 5 live website, the BBC Sport and BBC iPlayer Radio apps, on digital TV and radio or on 909 or 693 medium-wave.

"The pitch is minging"

Euroepan Cup winner, Mark Lawrenson

Football Focus

"I can see Arsenal winning, but I don't see them going through. Monaco don't concede at home - they have an absolutely fantastic record. They can effectively set themselves up to lose 2-0.

"Conceding that third goal of the three in the first leg was crucial. The Gunners could have recovered from 2-1 down.

"The pitch in Monaco is absolutely minging. It's built on a car park. It is really, really bad. It could well stop Arsenal playing."

Because he's worth it

PA

Arsene Wenger was in charge of Monaco for over seven years in the 1980s and 90s - but he has won none of his seven games against Monaco as manager (D4 L3).

Football League preview

There's a near full programme in League One and League Two as well as those divisions build to a crescendo. League One leaders Bristol City host Crewe and will be hoping to extend their 11-point lead at the top if they win and second-placed Preston slip up against in-form Peterborough. Fellow promotion hopefuls Swindon and MK Dons both have tricky-looking away games at Doncaster and Oldham respectively.

League Two leaders Burton aren't in action until Wednesday so second-placed Wycombe and Shrewsbury, in third, will be hoping to put pressure on the Brewers with victories over Accrington and Morecambe.

Midweek Final Score

BBC Final Score

With action across the Champions League, Championship, League One, League Two, the Conference and the Scottish leagues, what better way to keep across the goals and incidents than by tuning into Midweek Final Score, available either at the top of this page or via the BBC Red Button on your digital television right now.

Football League preview

Football is happening elsewhere! There are nine games in the Championship tonight, the pick of which sees Middlesbrough striker Patrick Bamford return to Derby, the team he so nearly led to promotion last season, for the first time.

Boro go into the match with the fourth-placed Rams level on points with leaders Bournemouth and Watford. Eddie Howe's Cherries face a trip across the border to Cardiff, while Malky Mackay faces his old team Watford, desperate for a victory to help Wigan in their survival battle. The Latics' comrades in the relegation zone - Millwall and Blackpool - both face home ties tonight.

You can follow comprehensive coverage from the Championship in a bespoke page right here.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Rashid Jamil: Here's hoping to celebrate St Patricks Day with an Arsenal victory!

Jonny Walker: If Welbeck scores tonight I will eat my sock...

Ash Williams: Arsenal need to score three and Monaco none to win, or 3-1 for extra time. I can't see Arsenal turning this around.

Send us your views via #bbcfootball, on the BBC Sport Facebook page or via text on 81111 (UK only).

Who's through?

Getty Images

Arsenal retain hope of reaching the final eight - but who's already through?

Paris St-Germain(beat Chelsea on away goals)

Real Madrid(beat Schalke 5-4)

Bayern Munich(beat Shakhtar Donetsk 7-0)

Porto(beat Basel 5-1)

Man City

More from Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini: "I have one more year on my contract and I am confident I am going to finish it.

"We all know Barcelona. We all know Lionel Messi is playing well. All of their players are dangerous."

Top class analysis. Lionel Messi is pretty decent...

Team News

Only one change from the first leg for Arsenal as Nacho Monreal comes in for Kieran Gibbs. So Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud are up front, with Aaron Ramsey among those on the bench.

Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim makes three changes from the 3-1 win in north London. Jeremy Toulalan comes into midfield to skipper the side after being suspended. Fabinho and Layvin Kurzawa replace Almamy Toure and Elderson in the full-back positions.

Monaco XI: Subasic, Fabinho, Wallace, Abdennour, Kurzawa, Moutinho, Toulalan, Kondogbia, Dirar, Martial, Berbatov

Arsenal XI: Ospina, Bellerín, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Welbeck, Özil, Alexis Sanchez, Giroud.

Monaco's heaviest home defeat in the Champions League - ever - is a 2-0 loss to PSV Eindhoven in 2005. Arsenal need to make history if they are to go through.

'My job is not in danger'

Man City

More from Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini ahead of playing Barcelona: "I respect all opinion but I don't think my job is in danger at the moment.

"It's a very important game for me and for the club too. It will be very important for our team to try and prove that we are one of the best teams in Europe."

Getty Images

I've never been to Monte Carlo. Not really my scene. I can't see anywhere selling steak and kidney pies in this photo. Where's the nearest pub? Per Mertesacker could clear one into the Med I reckon...

Man City

Manchester City are another side in need of a Champions League comeback on Wednesday - they trail Barcelona 2-1 after the first leg.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini is holding his news conference and says: "I always say we can play and win without Yaya Toure. But if you ask me, I prefer to have Yaya in my team, he's a very important player.

"That [Joe Hart] save from Lionel Messi was very important, but the most important thing is to try to play with 11 players the whole game.

"In one game we played for 40 minutes with 10 men and in another for the last 15 minutes, but I am not complaining about the sending-offs."

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Peter Collins: Liverpool scored three in 45 minutes in Istanbul. Palace scored three in 10 against Liverpool last year. 90 minutes is positively generous to Arsenal!

Hani Nyabam: With the number of clear chances created in the first leg I think Arsenal have a good chance. Keep the faith!

Gaurav Kapoor: I believe in Arsenal. Giroud to grab a winner in extra-time!

Send us your views via #bbcfootball, on the BBC Sport Facebook page or via text on 81111 (UK only).

Revenge of Giroud?

Getty Images

Arsene Wenger has also backed France striker Olivier Giroud, who was given a 2/10 player rating by French paper L'Equipe after failing to hit the target with any of his six shots in the first leg against Monaco. He starts tonight.

The 28-year-old has scored six goals in as many domestic games, including a peach against West Ham at the weekend.

"Giroud actually owes the revenge to him. He owes a great performance for himself," Wenger said.

"He missed a few opportunities in the first leg, but what striker doesn't miss an opportunity? He has the ability and the right mental level."

'Unbelievable belief'

PA

Paul Merson once said that Arsene Wenger gave his side 'unbelievable belief'. And they may need it tonight.

But Wenger, for one, retains the belief despite the fact that no team has previously recovered from a similar deficit in the competition.

Wenger said: "We have a massive challenge but we will give absolutely everything to try and go through.

"They are favourites but we can reverse it. We have to make sure the spirit, the belief and the desire is there."

@Arsenal

Arsenal tweet: The scene at Stade Louis II with a little under 90 minutes until the 90 minutes...

Team News

Arsenal

Arsenal make three changes from the side which beat West Ham at the weekend - as Danny Welbeck returns in attack.

Full team news to come.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Arsenal need a cracking comeback tonight. Istanbul stuff. Botham's Ashes stuff.

Getty Images

But what's the greatest comeback - sporting or otherwise - you've ever seen?

Get in touch at #bbcfootball, pop on to the BBC Sport Facebook page or BBC Sport's Google+ area.

You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - don't forget to say who you are and where you are texting from.

EPA

Hard work is the only way Atletico Madrid can end a poor run of form as they battle to stay in the Champions League, says their coach Diego Simeone.

Last season's beaten finalists, with one win in six matches, must overturn a 1-0 last-16 first-leg deficit against Bayer Leverkusen in tonight's other match.

Leverkusen, fourth in the Bundesliga, have won four games in a row.

"We have to keep going, roll up our sleeves, prepare for Tuesday's match and work," Simeone said.

"That is the only way we know to improve."

Atletico's hopes of retaining their La Liga title have all but disappeared following a run of three successive draws, which has left them nine points behind leaders Barcelona with 11 games to play.

You can follow a full live page on the Atletico match here from 19:00 GMT.

Keep it tight!

On paper you wouldn't pick Monaco's back four as the best in Europe - but the French side conceded just once in the group stage and have made a monumental amount of tackles.

BBC

Monaco and Arsenal's statistics in this season's Champions League

To stress the point again: Arsenal have to score three this evening to go through.

Let's have a quick recap of events from the first leg at the Emirates last month.

Monaco stunned the Gunners by going two goals up thanks to Geoffrey Kondogbia's deflected shot and a clinical finish from former Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov.

But when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain struck in the last minute, the tie was back on a knife edge. However, Arsenal still found time to totally lose their discipline and get stung on the counter-attack, Yannick Ferreira Carrasco racing through to hit what could be a decisive third away goal.

That late, late strike means Arsenal need to score at least three tonight. Against a Monaco side who have conceded two goals in the whole competition thus far...

Mission: Impossible?

Down. But not out.

Arsenal head to Monaco needing a minor sporting miracle tonight to make the last eight of the Champions League. They lost the first leg 3-1 at home to put the Ligue 1 side on the verge of the quarter-finals. The Gunners have got next to no chance.

PA

But so did Paul Lawrie in the 1999 Open when Frenchman Jean van de Velde had a three-shot lead going up the last. Van de Velde smashed it into the scoreboard, then put it in the water. Lawrie won the Claret Jug.

PA

Arsenal have next to no chance. But nor did Jennifer Capriati when she was cooking in the Australian heat against Martina Hingis in 2002, 6-4, 4-0 down in the final. Arguing with photographers as they jostled to get the best shots of Hingis winning. Capriati rallied and took the title.

PA

Arsenal have next to no chance. But what about boxer Danny Williams in 2000, fighting on with a dislocated right arm against Mark Potter? The fight could have been stopped but Williams landed an almighty left hook to knock his man out and win.

Get an early goal tonight and the tie could be back on. Do you believe?