Arsenal’s valiant attempt to make Champions League history ultimately came up short as a 2-0 victory at the Stade Louis II wasn’t enough to deny Monaco a place in the last eight, with the French side coming through on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate draw.
The Gunners came into the clash knowing they faced the improbable task of becoming the first side since Ajax in 1969 to overturn a two-goal deficit after losing the home clash of a European Cup tie.
The 3-1 defeat at the Emirates left much work to be done and saw Olivier Giroud come in for some heavy criticism, but it was the France striker who gave them a glimmer of hope when he crashed a rebound into the roof of the net on 36 minutes.
The Gunners lay siege to the Monaco goal for long spells and eventually pulled level on aggregate deep in the second half when substitute Aaron Ramsey drilled into the corner after Theo Walcott had hit the post.
Giroud then had a great chance to send Arsenal through but was denied by Danijel Subasic as the French outfit held on to progress to the quarter-finals on away goals.