Olivier Giroud: Reacts to a missed chance at the Stade Louis II
Arsenal came agonisingly close to reaching the Champions League quarter-final in dramatic fashion but exited the competition on away goals after a 2-0 win at Monaco.
After losing the first leg 3-1, Arsenal pulled one back before half-time, Olivier Giroud slamming into the roof of the net after his initial effort had been saved by Danijel Subasic.
Substitute Aaron Ramsey took Arsenal to within one goal of an historic comeback, slotting home from inside the area after Theo Walcott had hit the post.
Arsenal came within inches of a third in the final stages as Giroud’s effort was clawed off the line by Subasic, but Arsene Wenger’s side failed to break Monaco down again.
Olivier Giroud received the ball back from an effort and slammed the ball into the roof of the net
The result means the Gunners have been knocked out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage for the fifth season in a row.
Arsenal needed at least three goals to progress to the last eight, and started the brightest in front of a rare full house at Stade Louis II.
Giroud had a nightmare first leg at the Emirates having missed a hat-trick of chances, and went close again after 16 minutes with a header from Hector Bellerin’s cross.
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But the Frenchman, who caused problems for Monaco all night, gave Arsenal the lead on the night nine minutes before half-time.
Receiving the ball from Danny Welbeck on the left of the penalty area, Giroud failed to lift the ball over Subasic, but the rebound fell back to the striker and he slammed the ball into the roof of the net.
Arsenal nearly went into the break two up when Welbeck’s drilled effort from the edge of the box headed goalwards, only for the ball to strike Aymen Abdennour and trickle wide as the defender lay on the floor.
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Ozil went close after half-time with a precise free-kick, forcing Subasic into an acrobatic save, before Arsenal got to within a goal of their target through substitute Ramsey.
With 11 minutes remaining, Nacho Monreal found Walcott, who hit the post from 12 yards, but the ball fell to Welshman Ramsey to slot home with a fine finish across Subasic into the bottom left corner.
Arsenal’s best chance to grab the third came seven minutes from time, Giroud seeing his effort at the back post clawed away superbly by Subasic.
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