12 things we learned from Arsenal's narrow miss against Monaco

The Miracle In Monaco wasn’t to be – Arsenal could muster only a 2-0 win at the Stade Louis II as they slipped out of the Champions League on away goals. As ever with football, it was the hope that killed the Gunners fans, with their team looking for periods like they really might pull it off, but goals from Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey weren’t enough. Here’s what we learned along the way… 1. Monaco was the place to be Rock royalty was there… U2 (Mike Egerton/EMPICS) …as was actual royalty. Prince Albert II of Monaco (Christophe Ena/AP) 2. People still love Emmanuel Petit Petit was a studio guest for ITV’s coverage and the public at large approved heartily – though nobody seemed to care that much about what he actually had to say. Emmanuel Petit got hold of the holy grail then?, hasn't aged a day. — Alec Wilson (@aaalec) March 17, 2015 Emmanuel Petit is on my telly box. It's been far too long, you handsome man… <3 — Steve Dawson (@TopRopeElbow) March 17, 2015 He's still a good looking bloke that Emmanuel Petit — James Dunkley (@jamesdunkley89) March 17, 2015 3. People still love Tony Yeboah #lufc What a hat trick Tony Yeboah pic.twitter.com/txOhe1azbf — Michael ( L.U.F.C ) (@Lufc_Michael_4) March 17, 2015 Clive Tyldesley mentioned on commentary that the last time Monaco conceded three at home in Europe – the same thing Arsenal would need to do to progress – it was in 1995, when Yeboah scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 win for Leeds. Tony Yeboah klaxon 😂😂 #lufc — Adam Webster (@adswebbo) March 17, 2015 Cheeky Leeds Shoutout TONY YEBOAH BABYYYYY #LUFC — Rossi (@MrROSSii1990) March 17, 2015 The legend that is Tony Yeboah gets an ITV Champions League mention 👌 #lufc — Wayne (@wayneleedsfan) March 17, 2015 4. But they still don’t love Andy Townsend 'Arsenal should try and score first' says Andy Townsend. Yes…yes they should. — Jules Evans (@julesevans77) March 17, 2015 Andy Townsend is one of those talking dolls with the string in the back *pulls string* "Better" "Yep" "Not for me, Clive" — sam. (@SamAlexWarren) March 17, 2015 There it is sports fans. 13 minutes in, Andy Townsend's first "get in" of the evening. #UCL — Harry De Cosemo (@harrydecosemo) March 17, 2015 Don’t worry folks, he’ll be gone in a couple of months. 5. Olivier Giroud sort of redeemed himself It looked like being a similar story for the Frenchman as the ball just didn’t fall for him in the first 30-odd minutes. But just as his critics were sharpening their knives, he latched on to a rebound when his own shot was blocked and lifted the ball confidently into the roof of the net. Giroud world class now. — Rapha3l (@l3ahpar) March 17, 2015 6. Fortune does not favour Danny Welbeck Welbeck then came agonisingly close as his shot hit a prostrate Aymen Abdennour and squirted wide of goal. Arsenal fans were truly believing now, though. 2 MORE GOALS IN THE SECOND HALF. WE CAN DO THIS! #MiracleInMonaco #COYG — Fatin Sharsenal (@fatinshafira) March 17, 2015 We're all over them we can do this!! Come on Arsenal 💪💪💪 #believe #MiracleInMonaco — Ramsey's Bodyguard (@NatG_22) March 17, 2015 7. Swapping your shirt at half-time either is or isn’t acceptable The moment Ozil swapped shirts at half-time… #AFC pic.twitter.com/uzOLdLZKoK — Yakatak Football (@YakatakFootball) March 17, 2015 Mesut Ozil was seen swapping shirts at half-time and the commentators, including studio guest Paul Scholes, were not impressed. Arsenal fans saw things differently. Haha another Özil slating I give up. — AmandaAFC (@GoonerGirl1969) March 17, 2015 Ozil could score a hat trick in the 2nd half and take us through and the media will still focus on shirt swapping. #afc — GöönerGössip (@GoonerGossip) March 17, 2015 If Ozil offered me his shirt inside the first 5 minutes I ain't gonna say no. — Mesut Özil (@AFCKoyes) March 17, 2015 8. Paul Scholes looks weird in a suit (Mike Egerton/EMPICS) Paul Scholes in a suit looks like a heroic builder being given a medal by the mayor — Joel Golby (@joelgolby) March 17, 2015 Paul Scholes in a suit looks like he's about to make a failed bid for the incumbent role as leader of Fathers4Justice — Joel Golby (@joelgolby) March 17, 2015 @joelgolby Paul Scholes in a suit looks like a Grimsby warehouse worker going to the races — Tom S (@tshan1878) March 17, 2015 9. If belief won games, Arsenal would have stormed it C'mon Arsenal <3.!! Let's make #MiracleInMonaco a reality <3.!! #MONvAFC — Laura Gunner (@frankel_laura) March 17, 2015 2 goals in less than 30mins #MiracleInMonaco 🙏 — Ramsey's Bodyguard (@NatG_22) March 17, 2015 #MiracleInMonaco #MiracleInMonaco #MiracleInMonaco #MiracleInMonaco #MiracleInMonaco #MiracleInMonaco #MiracleInMonaco #MiracleInMonaco — AdelisaOfficial✌ (@Frau_Boateng) March 17, 2015 You have to give credit to the Arsenal fans – they kept on believing. The #MiracleInMonaco hashtag, which had been trending on Twitter for much of the day, continued to get a good outing, even as the second-half minutes ticked away and the comeback looked ever more unlikely. 10. Aaron Ramsey was almost the one (Christophe Ena/AP) Ramsey coming on. #afc — Sam (@samuelJayC) March 17, 2015 Absolutely buzzing for half an hour of Aaron Ramsey smashing shots into the Mediterranean Sea. — Bootifulgame (@bootifulgame) March 17, 2015 GOAL! Aaron Ramsey! 2-0 (79) #MONvAFC pic.twitter.com/BgJgGtjy0c — Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) March 17, 2015 Ramsey and Walcott were Arsene Wenger’s attacking throw of the dice as the night progressed, and they both contributed – Walcott hit the post, Monaco made a hash of the clearance and Ramsey finished. The miracle was back on… 11. Nearly everyone was an Arsenal fan for once Great finish from Ramsey come on!!!!! — Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) March 17, 2015 Go on Arsenal put it up em for last 10! #ARSVMON — Jimmy Bullard (@jimmybullard) March 17, 2015 Even Richard Osman from Pointless. It's not something I say every day, but come on Arsenal! — Richard Osman (@richardosman) March 17, 2015 12. It’s time to scrap the away goals rule Away goals are stupid — Ouriel Daskal (@Soccerissue) March 17, 2015 I hate away goals, such a stupid rule — ahmed (@Ahmed18Ibra) March 17, 2015 3-3 on aggregate … Wenger has regularly called on UEFA to scrap away goals — Rob Harris (@RobHarris) March 17, 2015 Ultimately Arsenal fell just short and that meant just one thing – a debate about the away-goals rule. It does seem a little anachronistic but that’s for another day…

Source: SNAPPA