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Arsenal performance slammed by pundits: 'When Dimitar Berbatov says he wanted it more you got problems!'

The Gunners were beaten 3-1 at home by the team currently fourth in Ligue 1

Wednesday 25 February 2015 23:24 GMT

Arsene Wenger pictured during Arsenal's defeat to Monaco (GETTY IMAGES)

Television pundits rounded on Arsenal after the Gunners stumbled to a 3-1 home defeat against Monaco in their Champions League last-16 tie at Emirates Stadium.

Geoffrey Kondogbia, Dimitar Berbatov and substitute Yannick Carrasco got the goals which meant Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's breakthrough provided little cheer for the home supporters.

The loss means Arsene Wenger's team face an uphill task if they are to reach the quarter-finals of the competition.

Sky Sports co-commentator Gary Neville said: "It shows where we are in the Premier League. They (Monaco) are not a great side, I have to say. A top side would take these apart."

Former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp added: "This is Arsene Wenger's most disappointing performance in Europe, ever.

"It looked like Arsenal were almost thrown together, there was no responsibility.

"They had no one who could win the ball back at the end. It was so inept.

"Four of five of their (Monaco's) best players weren't playing. But Arsenal were off the cuff today.

"They've stumbled across playing (Francis) Coquelin in midfield and took him off tonight - granted, he was booked. But (Santi) Carozrla, (Tomas) Rosicky came on, (Alex) Oxlade-Chamberlain...they couldn't tackle a hot dinner. It all came home to roost tonight."

Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

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1/24Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

David Ospina - 6/10

Diffiicult to overly criticise him for Monaco’s opener. Kondogbia’s shot took a wicked deflection that left him with no chance. Pulled off a good save to prevent Berbatov scoring a third.

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Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Hector Bellerin - 5

Not his best game in an Arsenal shirt. When he did go forward he lost possession and Martial, who he was meant to be marking, too often beat the right-back to the byline. Good run and cross

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Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Per Mertesacker - 4

Unfortunate for Kondogbia’s shot to deflect off him before flying past Ospina. Was at fault for Monaco’s second goal. He allowed Martial too much space - the French winger passed to Berbatov who scored. He was very poor all night. His lack of pace constantly exposed.

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Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Laurent Koscielny - 6

Didn’t have to do much to register a better performance than Mertesacker. He was effectively Arsenal’s rock when the German defender wandered into positions he wasn’t quick enough to return from.

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Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Kieran Gibbs - 6

Arsenal’s most dangerous player in the opening minutes of the match. Toure, at right-back for Monaco, found it very difficult to keep up with the rapid left-back.

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Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Francis Coquelin - 6

Alongside Cazorla in the two deep midfield roles again. He was a little exposed when the Spaniard decided to charge forward but the French midfielder never looked troubled. Substituted for Oxlade-Chamberlain in second as Arsenal chased the game.

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Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Santi Cazorla - 6

Took advantage of space in the middle to surge forward from his role of deep-lying playmaker. Stifled in the second half as the opposition read what he was going to do effectively.

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Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Mesut Ozil - 5

Too slow to progress play. The German midfielder was booed by the Arsenal on a night where he really should have done much more to unlock the Monaco defence.

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Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Alexis Sanchez - 6

Struggled to get forward as much as he usually likes. In the first half he seemed frustrated that all of the play was going down the left flank totally cutting him out on the right. Made much more of an impact in the second half as Arsenal chased the game.

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Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Danny Welbeck - 6

Very sharp in the first half but failed to carry out his defensive duties well enough. Indeed it was Welbeck who gave the ball away that led to Monaco’s opener. Caught out a few times in the second half.

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Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Olivier Giroud - 4

Missed a very, very easy chance from close range in the second half. Posed relatively little threat to the Monaco defence. He was subbed for Walcott on 59 minutes.

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Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Best off the bencj: Alex Oxlade Chamberlain - 7

Immediate impact when he came on for Coquelin with 20 minutes to go. It was his late strike that gave his given his side a glimmer of hope going into the second leg.

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Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Danijel Subasic - 7

Outstanding performance from the goalkeeper. His quick thinking helped his side stay in the lead on a number of occasions. Very quick to close down Walcott in second half. Distribution very good too.

Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Almamy Toure - 6

In the first half he found himself overrun by Gibbs but was given some respite in the second half as Arsenal attacked Monaco’s left side.

Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Wallace - 6

A very assured performance. He frustrated Giroud while also organising his defence with precision.

Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Aymen Abdennour - 6

Allowed the Arsenal attack to bypass him too often. He seemed to panic when the French striker got anywhere near the Monaco penalty area.

Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Elderson - 6

Playing at left-back, the Brazilian found himself out of position on so many occasions. For most of the night he was either dallying with the ball too far into the Arsenal half or chasing the heels of Welbeck.

Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Nabil Dirar - 6

Not as effective as Martial on the left but seemed confident when in control of the ball and always looked forward for the out ball.

Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Geoffrey Kondogbia - 8

Monaco’s best player. Along with Moutinho he was involved in almost all of his side’s attacks. It was his strike in the first half that took the lead for Monaco. Physically he is strong and was effective when confronted with challenges from Coquelin.

Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Fabinho - 7

Integral part of the midfield three that also included Moutinho and Kondogbia. He knew his role well and did nothing to endanger his defence behind him.

Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Joao Moutinho - 7

One of Monaco’s brighter players. He regularly dropped deep in midfield to start attacking moves. Assisted Kondogbia for Monaco’s opener.

Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Anthony Martial - 7

Utilised his pace effectively on the left side of the Monaco attack. He took advantage of Mertesacker’s bad positioning to assist Berbatov for his side’s second goal.

Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Dimitar Berbatov - 7

Booed by the Arsenal fans because of his former connection with Spurs, but he was to have the last laugh when he smashed past Ospina in the Arsenal goal to send Monaco 2-0 up

Arsenal 1 Monaco 3 player ratings

Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco - 7

What an impact he made when he replaced Berbatov with 15 minutes remaining. His pace, coupled with quick thinking, gave Gibbs hell at left-back. Ferreira-Carrasco added Monaco's third in stoppage time.

Former Scotland international midfielder Graeme Souness, who has managed eight teams around Europe, added: "Arsenal were miserable tonight...they were so disorganised. A dream to play against - zero threat apart from the opening 10 minutes.

"They try to play the ultimate football, all neat and tidy on the ball and creative - but all successful teams have a contrast of midfield players.

"They are too easy to play against - I keep saying it. That was a perfect example. For me, an average team has blown Arsenal away today.

"This is the first time I've been to the Emirates and not enjoyed something about Arsenal's play. Nothing excited me or got me on the edge of my seat. That's a miserable night for an Arsenal fan."

The Gunners' leading goalscorer Thierry Henry felt the team lacked zip in their play.

"They can (go through) but it will be very difficult," he said. "The players got frustrated. The passing wasn't very good. There was no real pace on the pass, no kind of sense or urgency to win the game."

Jamie Carragher was also less than impressed with what he saw and feels the Gunners have an attitude problem.

He tweeted: "Arsenal frustrate me so much & I'm not even a fan!

"When Berbatov says he wanted it more you got problems!"

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