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Monaco
Champions League | Round-Of-16
Mar 17, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
Giroud (36'), Ramsey (79')

Player Ratings: Monaco 0-2 Arsenal (3-3 on aggregate, Monaco win on away goals)

Sports Mole rates all of the players involved in Arsenal's match against Monaco at the Stade Louis II as the Gunners crash out of the Champions League despite a 2-0 win.

AS Monaco booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League despite losing 2-0 to Arsenal at the Stade Louis II this evening.

Goals from Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey put the Gunners on the brink of a memorable comeback, but they fell just short of overturning the 3-1 deficit from the first leg.

Here, Sports Mole looks at who stood out on a dramatic evening of European action.


Monaco's French defender Layvin Kurzawa (C) is tackled by Arsenal's Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez (R) during the UEFA Champions League football match Monaco vs Arsenal, on March 17, 2015© Getty Images

MONACO

Goal

Danijel Subasic: Largely to thank for Monaco still being in the competition. Made a number of good stops to prevent the Gunners from getting enough goals to progress, including one right on the line late on. Unfortunate with the opening goal and could do nothing about Ramsey's strike. (8/10)

Defence

Fabinho: Under the cosh for much of the game as wave after wave of Arsenal attacks crashed against the Monaco defence. Helped them to just about hold on, though. (6/10)

Wallace: Another who stood up to the relentless Arsenal pressure at the heart of the defence. Didn't have things all his own way, but made things difficult for Giroud and co. (6/10)

Aymen Abdennour: Always seemed to be in the right place for the hosts, including one important block from a Welbeck effort in the first half. A towering performance at the back. (7/10)

Layvin Kurzawa: Started brightly and got forward whenever possible in the opening exchanges. Was soon forced to turn his attention to defending, however, and made an error in the build-up to Ramsey's goal that could have proved costly. (5/10)

Midfield

Nabil Dirar: Relatively quiet showing on the right. Was forced to do a lot more defending than he may have liked, but did provide a decent outlet when Monaco needed to relieve some pressure. (6/10)

Geoffrey Kondogbia: Put in a different type of performance from his man-of-the-match display in the first leg, but was still a key figure for his side. Protected the defence well despite a barrage of Arsenal attacks. (7/10)

Jeremy Toulalan: Missed the first leg through suspension but joined Kondogbia in putting in a strong defensive showing today. One of few Monaco players who showed a bit of composure on the ball too. (7/10)

Joao Moutinho: A bright showing from the midfielder, who helped to support Berbatov whenever possible but also provided another body when Monaco looked to get men behind the ball. (7/10)

Anthony Martial: Made a decent start to the match but quickly faded and was anonymous for long spells before being taken off on the hour mark. (5/10)

Attack

Dimitar Berbatov: Could not make much of an impact in an attacking sense, but that was of secondary importance today. Always good to take the ball in and hold it up with his usual class. (6/10)

Substitutes

Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco: Provided a valuable outlet on the break as the pressure began to build. Made a couple of great runs deep into the Arsenal half and worked very hard for his team during his 30-minute cameo. (7/10)

Bernardo Silva: Replaced Berbatov with 20 minutes remaining and was largely forced to carry out a defensive job as Monaco held on. (6/10)

Elderson: A late change from the hosts as Jardim looked to wind the clock down. (6/10)


Arsenal's French striker Olivier Giroud celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League football match Monaco vs Arsenal, on March 17, 2015© Getty Images

ARSENAL

Goal

David Ospina: Not a single shot on target to save and was as much a spectator as those sitting in the stands for the majority of the match. (6/10)

Defence

Hector Bellerin: Kept Martial quiet all night long and posed a threat himself going the other way. Never shy to get forward and he provided a few dangerous deliveries tonight. (7/10)

Per Mertesacker: Not much to do at all for the skipper, who would have been thankful for a quiet evening following the criticism that came his way after the first leg. (6/10)

Laurent Koscielny: Also enjoyed a comfortable night defensively but had more of an impact going forward than Mertesacker, launching a few good attacks from the back. (7/10)

Nacho Monreal: Solid at the back but his delivery let him down once or twice in attack. Eventually taken off for the more offensive-minded Gibbs as Arsenal went in search of a goal. (6/10)

Midfield

Santi Cazorla: Played as a deep-lying playmaker but came up against a very organised outfit. Tried to get things moving forward when possible and was largely responsible for upping the tempo in the first half. (7/10)

Francis Coquelin: Did his defensive job well but also tried to spark attacks and was his side's most energetic player during a slow opening 15 minutes or so. Eventually sacrificed for the more creative Ramsey. (7/10)

Alexis Sanchez: Full of energy as ever, but struggled to get much joy against such a stubborn defence. Got a harsh yellow for diving inside the penalty area and missed a great chance late on as neither he nor Giroud could convert at the back post. (6/10)

Mesut Ozil: Was involved in the build-up to Ramsey's goal but should have had a bigger say on the game considering how much of the ball he saw. Far too many of his passes were negative, while the general standard of his crossing was dismal. Also missed a good chance in the second half. (6/10)

Danny Welbeck: Played the pass through to Giroud for the opening goal and linked up with the Frenchman well throughout his time on the field. His pace looked to be causing Monaco problems, and it was something of a surprise when he was withdrawn in the 72nd minute. (7/10)

Attack

Olivier Giroud: Bounced back from his shocker in the first leg with a well-taken goal and a man-of-the-match display. Led the line really well and was a focal point for all of the attacks, linking up with those around him to good effect. (8/10)

Substitutes

Aaron Ramsey: Replaced Coquelin just past the hour and made a real difference. Got the second goal and there is an argument to be made that he should have started this match. (7/10)

Theo Walcott: His pace caused Monaco one or two problems, but it was so congested in the final third that he rarely got the chance to hit top speed. (6/10)

Kieran Gibbs: Brought on with Arsenal needing one more goal but could not provide a telling impact during his eight minutes on the field. (6/10)


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Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal (R) scores their second goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between AS Monaco and Arsenal at Stade Louis II on March 17, 2015
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Match Analysis: Monaco 0-2 Arsenal
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