MX23RW : Friday, December 13 20:17:47| >> :60:952:952:
[monks data]
Arsenal logo
Champions League | Round-Of-16
Feb 25, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Monaco

1-3

FT(HT: 0-1)

Monaco stun Arsenal at the Emirates

Monaco stun Arsenal with a 3-1 win at the Emirates in the first leg of their last-16 tie in the Champions League.

AS Monaco hold the advantage ahead of the second leg after they recorded a surprise 3-1 win over Arsenal at the Emirates in their Champions League last-16 tie this evening.

Goals from Geoffrey Kondogbia, Dimitar Berbatov and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco have put the Ligue 1 side in a commanding position ahead of the second leg in France, despite Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's curled effort.

In a fairly timid opening half, Danny Welbeck had an early chance for the Gunners when he was sent scampering through on goal, but the England international was off balance as he scooped an effort over the bar.

Monaco's French midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match against Arsenal  on February 25, 2015© Getty Images

Joao Moutinho mustered Monaco's first shot of the game on the 20-minute mark, but the Portugal international's tame effort drifted harmlessly wide as both sides struggled to create anything clear-cut.

A promising attack for the Ligue 1 side broke down when Moutinho's slack pass was unable to find Berbatov inside the area, before Alexis Sanchez clipped a shot over the top after good work from Mesut Ozil.

Moutinho was then able to find some room inside the area but his acrobatic effort flew well over the bar after he connected with a fizzed delivery.

Santi Cazorla of Arsenal is challenged by Almary Toure of Monaco during the UEFA Champions League round of 16, first leg match  on February 25, 2015© Getty Images

Some neat link-up play between Sanchez and Santi Cazorla found Hector Bellerin wide right but the youngster's low cross was whipped over the bar by Olivier Giroud.

Kondogbia then gave the visitors the lead when his long-range effort deflected off Per Mertesacker to leave David Ospina rooted.

The French side doubled their advantage less than 10 minutes into the second half when a quick counter left them two against one at the back, and it was Berbatov who stayed composed to rifle home.

Monaco's Bulgarian forward Dimitar Berbatov (R) celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match against Arsenal  on February 25, 2015© Getty Images

Sanchez struck an effort from outside the box, but Giroud was unable to convert after Danijel Subasic had palmed the ball invitingly into the Frenchman's path just before the hour mark.

Anthony Martial perhaps should have made it 3-0 when he latched on to Moutinho's flick, but Ospina did well to close the angle quickly.

Arsenal had a great chance to reduce the deficit when Theo Walcott escaped the attention of Elderson, but Welbeck could only fire the ball at his teammate with the goal at his mercy on 64 minutes.

Monaco were content to soak up pressure and hit the Gunners on the counter, and Ferreira Carrasco was guilty of wasting a chance when he went through on goal and fired a tame effort with Bernardo Silva in a better position.

The French side were made to pay for their profligacy when Oxlade-Chamberlain curled in an effort from outside the box as the clock ticked into stoppage time.

However, Ferreira Carrasco made amends three minutes into added-on time to give the visitors a major advantage ahead of the second leg.

ID:207784: cacheID:207784:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7735:
Written by
Paul Gorst
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Santi Cazorla of Arsenal is challenged by Almary Toure of Monaco during the UEFA Champions League round of 16, first leg match  on February 25, 2015
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Arsenal trail Monaco at the break
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Rams
@
49ers
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool660018
2Barcelona650115
3B. Leverkusen641113
4Inter Milan641113
5Brest641113
6Arsenal641113
7Aston Villa641113
8Lille641113
9Bayern640212
10Dortmund640212
11Atletico640212
12AC Milan640212
13Atalanta632111
14Juventus632111
15Benfica631210
16Feyenoord631210
17Brugge631210
18Monaco631210
19Sporting Lisbon631210
20Real Madrid63039
21Celtic62319
22Man City62228
23PSV62228
24Dinamo Zagreb62228
25PSG62137
26Stuttgart62137
27Shakhtar61144
28Sparta Prague61144
29Sturm Graz61053
30Girona61053
31Red Star61053
32Salzburg61053
33Bologna60242
34RB Leipzig60060
35Slovan Bratislava60060
36Young Boys60060


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!