Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for a huge night of Champions League football as AS Monaco host Arsenal at the Stade Louis II hoping to complete the job they started in North London last month and reach the quarter-finals. The Gunners have an uphill battle ahead of them but have vowed to fight here and could end up providing a truly special Champions League night. Let's start with a look at the hosts...

Monaco certainly come into this match holding all of the cards, and it would take a mixture of a collapse from them and a very good performance from Arsenal for them to be knocked out of the Champions League from this position. They deservedly hold a comfortable advantage after the first leg three weeks ago, but they will know that Arsenal are unlikely to perform that badly again and any complacency could be fatal tonight.

Last month's win would have been particularly satisfying - and disappointing from Arsenal's point of view - because Monaco were seen as probably the kindest of all the draws available in the last 16. The principality club weren't exactly convincing in the group stages and, having drawn the likes of Barcelona, AC Milan and Bayern Munich at this stage of recent season, the Gunners would have been delighted with the draw. Monaco have proven that they are not merely here to make up the numbers, however, and they won't be such an attractive proposition to many teams should they progress tonight.

On paper, a 3-1 win for Arsenal is certainly not beyond the realms of possibility, but it would take a monumental effort against one of the tightest defence in Europe right now. Monaco's defensive statistics are nothing short of staggering, and the Gunners must tonight score at least three goals against them to stand any chance of going through. No team has managed that in Monaco's last 40 outings, while September 2011 was the last time they conceded three at home, back when they were a Ligue 2 side.

You have to go back 20 years for the last time Monaco conceded three at home in Europe, although the Gunners may take some encouragement from the fact that is was an English team that managed it - Leeds United winning 3-0 in the UEFA Cup. The Gunners not only face a big task to breach the Monaco defence three times - they would do well to score past their hosts at all. Monaco have kept no fewer than 17 clean sheets in their last 24 games.

That record is even better at home, where Monaco have conceded just eight times all season. Most of those came during an inauspicious start to the campaign too, with Monaco's more recent record standing at just one goal in their last 12 home outings. They have kept 15 clean sheets in 21 games at the Stade Louis II, including three out of three in the Champions League so far, and have only lost twice in front of their own fans in the current campaign - both by just the one goal.

Those truly are incredible statistics, and the worrying thing for Arsenal is that Monaco have also started firing up at the other end of the pitch too. For much of the season, their defence held firm but they often drew games 0-0 or won them 1-0 because of a lack of firepower up front. However, they have seemingly found their shooting boots in recent weeks, scoring three goals in four of their last seven games having only done so once in the 38 prior to that.

The bad news keeps on coming for Arsenal too. Monaco have only lost one of their last 17 home matches in this competition - a run that stretches back to September 2000 - while only Real Madrid can boast a higher home win percentage in Champions League history than Monaco. The principality club have won 18 of their 24 home matches - or 75% - while Madrid are only marginally in front with 76%, albeit having played a lot more matches.

It really is a daunting task for the Gunners, then, but they have been making all of the right noises in the build-up to this match and will go into the game genuinely believing that they have a chance to progress. It would be an unprecedented comeback, but Arsenal have come close to making history in the away leg of the last 16 a couple f times in recent years, falling just short of remarkable recoveries against both AC Milan and Bayern Munich.

However, the simple fact is that no team has ever managed to do what Arsenal are attempting tonight. Since the Champions League came into effect, no-one has successfully overturned a two-goal deficit from the home first leg, while only two teams in the competitions history have recovered from losing the home leg at home no matter what the scoreline. Ajax, way back in a 1969 European Cup tie, were the last to overturn a two-goal deficit in the away second leg.

Confidence is high in the Arsenal camp, however, and in fairness to the Gunners they did not let that defeat at the Emirates derail their domestic form. They are into the FA Cup semi-finals and well-placed in the league, moving to within one point of second-placed Manchester City at the weekend. Their hopes of finishing in the top two would have been boosted massively by City's defeat to Burnley on Saturday evening, but they are also still involved in an intriguing battle for the top four too.

Their form makes them many people's favourites to clinch a Champions League place yet again, however, with the Gunners having won all four of their matches since the defeat in the first leg last month. They don't often draw games either, last doing so against Liverpool at Anfield before Christmas. They have won seven of their last eight matches and 13 of their last 15 in all competitions, including a comfortable 3-0 victory over West Ham United at the weekend.

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A repeat of that scoreline would send them straight through to the last eight this evening, but it is the combination of the deficit and Monaco's home advantage that makes this such a tough ask for Arsenal. They have only won one away match by a scoreline that would see them through tonight all season, although that did come in the Champions League as they beat Galatasaray 4-1. It is fair to say that the Turks were a little less solid at the back than Monaco, however, so Arsenal will need an even better performance tonight.

Arsenal did actually finish the group stages with two more points than Monaco, but were consigned to second place on goal difference behind Borussia Dortmund. They have been eliminated at this stage of the competition in each of the last four seasons, and this is the third year running that they have gone into the second leg chasing a two-goal deficit. They certainly don't make it easy for themselves!

The result from last month and task in hand tonight may have taken some of the gloss of it, but this is also a special night for Arsene Wenger as he returns to Monaco for the first time since leaving the club back in 1994. He has never won a match against Monaco in management, but spent seven happy years here as boss and guided the club to huge success.

TEAM NEWS: The teams are in for both sides and the headline news is that Danny Welbeck gets the nod to start, replacing Walcott in the side from the weekend. Bellerin and Cazorla also come into that team, with Chambers and Ramsey joining Walcott on the bench. Monaco, meanwhile, recall Dimitar Berbatov to the side, while there is a start for Martial in attack as well. Full teams for both sides coming right up...

MONACO STARTING XI: Subasic; Fabinho, Wallace, Abdennour, Kurzawa; Toulalan, Moutinho, Kondogbia; Dirar, Martial, Berbatov

MONACO SUBS: Stekelenburg, Carvalho, Elderson, Touré, Matheus, Silva, Carrasco

ARSENAL STARTING XI: Ospina; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Cazorla, Welbeck, Ozil, Alexis; Giroud

ARSENAL SUBS: Szczesny, Gibbs, Gabriel, Chambers, Ramsey, Flamini, Walcott

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, it is no surprise to see Berbatov return to the starting lineup following a spell out of the team in the last couple of weeks. He scored the second goal at the Emirates last month and could be the perfect player for Monaco tonight considering they don't have to chase the game. He came into his element in that role in the first leg, slowing things down and holding the ball up, and Leonardo Jardim will be looking for more of that tonight - in addition, of course, to his goalscoring threat in the final third.

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He will have support from Martial, who keeps his place in the starting lineup having scored twice in a 3-0 win over Bastia on Friday evening. He will be keen to keep that scoring form up and Arsenal will need to be wary of both him and Dirar on the counter. On the bench, they also have options in the shape of Ferreira Carrasco, who came on to score that killer third goal right at the end of the first leg.

Kondogbia returns to the side to patrol the midfield having opened the scoring and put in a man-of-the-match display three weeks ago in North London, while Moutinho was also impressive in that match and starts again tonight. Toulalan wasn't involved in the first leg or the win over Bastia on Friday, but he returns to the fold tonight to give his defence even more protection from Arsenal's dangerous attacking midfielders.

Those attacking midfielders include the big-money duo of Ozil and Sanchez, both of whom have had contrasting fortunes at the club since their respective arrivals. It really is time for Ozil to step up to the plate now, but his return from injury seems to have had a negative impact on Sanchez, who has only scored one goal in his last 10 games - his worst spell since joining. However, if those two, and Welbeck, can click then they have the quality to unlock any defence.

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Olivier Giroud is the man in form for the Gunners right now having scored six goals in his last seven games, including one to cap off a fine showing against West Ham at the weekend. He may have personal reasons for wanting to perform tonight as well after he endured a torrid time of things in the first leg. He missed a glut of chances before being hauled off by Wenger in what was surely one of the worst displays of his Arsenal career, but he has since bounced back and comes into tonight's match in really good shape.

Ramsey was another who enjoyed a decent game against West Ham, but he drops to the bench today as Cazorla - rested against the Hammers - comes in. He will play in a deeper role again, alongside Coquelin in the midfield. The latter has established himself as a very important player for the Gunners since breaking into the first team and was rewarded with a new contract recently. He is unlikely to be the most important player for Arsenal tonight as it is goals they need, but he could be key in what is likely to be an important midfield battle.

There is just the one change at the back from the weekend, with Bellerin returning to the starting XI in place of Chambers. Mertesacker took particular criticism after the first leg due to his role in the second goal, and he will be another of this Arsenal contingent looking to make up for the mistakes of three weeks ago tonight. Monreal didn't feature in that first leg, but starts tonight as Gibbs is demoted to the bench.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes away from kickoff at the Stade Louis II, which means that it is time for a prediction! The odds are stacked heavily in favour of Monaco tonight and I can;t see them not progressing given their aggregate lead and phenomenal defensive record in recent times. Arsenal will give it a go, though, and when they get momentum going they are a very hard team to stop. They may come close, but ultimately I think they will fall just short. I'll go for a 2-1 away win on the night.

Arsenal have an impeccable record against French sides in Europe, progressing from all five of their knockout matches against teams from across the Channel. Furthermore, they have never lost against French opposition in France, winning seven of their 10 visits including each of their last six. They will need to pull off something special to keep up those records tonight.

Monaco are also looking to protect a perfect record of their own tonight, having progressed in all nine ties where they have won the first leg away from home. They have come up against English opposition in France five times before and have only lost once - back in 1995 at the hands of Leeds. They have won three and drawn one of their four meetings since that defeat.

The hosts would reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2003-04 should they complete the job tonight, and fans of the principality club won't need reminding that they went all the way to the final that year, only to be beaten by Jose Mourinho's Porto. Arsenal, meanwhile, have not reached the last eight since 2010 and would need one of their greatest European performances to end that absence.

Out come the players ahead of a huge match in the last 16 of the Champions League. Can Arsenal create history, or will Monaco book their place in the quarter-finals in front of their own fans. Remember, Arsenal need to score at least three goals to stand any chance of going through.

KICKOFF: Monaco get us underway at the Stade Louis II looking to prevent being on the wrong end of a slice of Champions League history tonight.

SHOT! Bright start to the match from the hosts and they carve out an early shooting opportunity from the edge of the box. Berbatov drops the ball back to Moutinho, who curls one a couple of yards too high.

This has been an interesting start to the match from Monaco, who certainly aren't parking the bus from the off. They are looking to get forward in the opening exchanges and haven't be shy in committing men. An early goal would certainly be a blow for Arsenal and quell any quick start for the visitors, but at the same time it wouldn't drastically alter their aim tonight - they need three goals no matter who scores first.

Kurzawa has burst forward a number of times in the opening seven minutes here, causing Arsenal a few problems down the left. Right now, it looks like it is Monaco who have the deficit to make up given the urgency they are playing with.

Monaco have a chance to loft a free kick into the box from a good position, but Arsenal hold a high line and Moutinho's delivery is too far in front of his teammates. It goes all the way through to Ospina, who gathers comfortably.

Arsenal have not shown the sort of urgency that we expected so far. You'd have thought that they would have looked to come flying out of the blocks, but they have started slowly and Monaco have been the better team so far.

The visitors are being forced into far more backward passes than they would like at the moment. They are enjoying their best spell of possession at the moment, but Monaco are keeping their shape and there is no way through for the Gunners right now.

CHANCE! The first sight of goal for Arsenal falls to Giroud, but he can't steer his header on target. It was good work from Bellerin down the right as he stands a cross into the middle for the Arsenal striker to attack. It is not the easiest chance for the Frenchman, but he will perhaps be disappointed not to have hit the target at least.

Arsenal have settled now and are enjoying far more of the ball than the hosts. It is still all very slow and laboured in the build-up, however, and while Monaco deserve credit for making it difficult for the Gunners, they could inject a bit more pace into their attacks.

Welbeck looks to do exactly that, racing down the left flank to the byline. He is stretching to keep it in when trying to pull it back towards Giroud in the box, and that allows the defence to cut it out and clear the danger.

Another shooting chance for Arsenal as Giroud battles away to earn a yard down the left channel. He clips a cross towards the edge of the box where Cazorla is waiting, but the midfielder can't connect with his volley as he would have liked. It strikes Kurzawa, drawing muted penalty claims, but the ref is right to pay them no heed.

This is a lot better from Arsenal as they continue to build pressure on the Monaco defence. They are starting to pick the ball up in more dangerous positions now and are very much on top at the moment.

Cazorla drifts a deep free kick into the area and Abdennour can only turn it back towards this own goal. That sends Koscielny through from close range, but the defender flicks his effort against the crossbar when he simply had to score. His blushes are spared by the linesman's flag, though.

Welbeck has another hint of a chance inside the Monaco box but can't make the most of it as Arsenal continue to apply the pressure. The first goal may not be too far away unless the hosts can stem the tide soon.

To clear that Koscielny chance up, the linesman was right to raise his flag despite the ball coming off a Monaco head as the touch has to be an intentional one to play the opposition onside. That wasn't the case from Abdennour, and it was a very good decision from the official.

UPDATE: There is another match taking place in the Champions League tonight and the first goal has gone to Atletico Madrid against Bayer Leverkusen. Mario Suarez has made it 1-0 to last season's runners-up at the Vicente Calderon, which levels things up at 1-1 on aggregate.

Nice football from Arsenal as they string a few quick, concise passes together on the right. Again it results in a cross into the box, and again Arsenal win the header as Welbeck keeps it alive at the back post. Giroud tries to make something of the knockdown, but can only put it behind for a goal kick.

Monaco have eased the pressure on themselves a little in the last five minutes or so, but Arsenal are still on top here. Monaco haven't threatened in an attacking sense since the opening exchanges and it is Arsenal who are dictating the tempo and looking the more dangerous.

Superb play from Monreal down the left as he makes something of a terrible pass from Ozil, but his final delivery is poor and the chance goes begging.

One back for Arsenal! Giroud is slid through on goal inside the box and gets to the ball before Subasic, who stands up well to block the striker's attempted dink. Giroud gets a stroke of luck in that the ball bounces back off him and falls nicely on the rebound, which he places right into the roof of the net past two players on the line. That will feel good after his poor display in the first leg, although there is no hint of a smile.

CHANCE! Big chance for Arsenal to get a quick second! The ball is lifted in to Giroud, who is beaten by Abdennour on this occasion. However, the clearance falls straight to Welbeck, who lashes a first-time effort towards the bottom corner from just inside the box. It looks destined to nestle into the net, but Abdennour - still on the ground following his clearance - makes a vital block and the ball trickles just wide. He didn't know much about it, but he just saved a goal there.

Mission impossible is very much on for Arsenal, then! They still have plenty to do here and need at least two more goals to stand any chance of progressing, but they are looking dangerous and capable of getting the first of those even before half time. Monaco need to steady the ship here.

YELLOW CARD! The first card of the match goes to Sanchez, and it is a controversial one. The Chilean goes down in the box but, instead of pointing to the spot, the ref books Sanchez for diving. It was not a penalty, but a yellow is perhaps a little harsh.

There is a much better tempo about Arsenal's play now and they are starting to knock the ball about with a swagger inside the Monaco half. Giroud has been the focal point of everything so far and Wenger will be pleased with how things have gone up to this point.

There will be just the one minute of added time at the end of this first half.

CHANCE! Arsenal almost get a second right on the stroke of half time! Welbeck does well down the right channel to earn a yard and drill a powerful low cross into the area. Abdennour takes a wild swipe at it and it pops up to Giroud, who can't react in time to turn it home as it bounces nicely for the keeper. Moments later, Welbeck again makes progress down the right, stinging the palms of the keeper with a powerful drive.

The first half comes to an end and it has been a very encouraging one for Arsenal as they go into the break with a one-goal lead. The Gunners started slowly - although Wenger will no doubt call it patient - but have one back and now just need two more in the second half. This match is set up very nicely for the coming 45 minutes.

It was Olivier Giroud who got the goal following his dreadful display in the first leg last month, lifting the ball into the roof of the net from a rebound having seen his initial effort saved by Subasic. It was a good finish from the striker, who ensured that the two men on the line had no chance to block it. Welbeck was the man who slid the pass through for Giroud, and he snapped up the chance at the second time of asking.

Arsenal pushed on for a second as the half wore on and almost got one just a couple of minutes after taking the lead. The ball fell to Welbeck on the edge of the box and he lashed a low effort towards the bottom corner, but Abdennour was in the way to make a block while lying on the floor. The keeper may have had it covered, but it was an important - if inadvertent - interception.

There were a couple of other chances right at the end of the half as Giroud couldn't react in time to finish from close range after the ball had popped up to him at pace, while Welbeck tested the keeper from a tight angle moments later. A second goal before the break would have done wonders for the Gunners, but they have shown enough signs in that opening 45 minutes that they are capable of completing the turnaround here. Monaco will be very wary at the moment.

The hosts were actually the better team for the opening 15 minutes or so, playing at a good pace and committing men forward despite their commanding lead. Arsenal soon settled into the match and started applying the pressure, however, and there is no doubt that they deserve the lead at the halfway stage. The Gunners were too slow and laboured early on but have upped the tempo and will fancy their chances of making Champions League history in the coming 45 minutes.

They still have a lot of work to do, however, and Monaco's defensive record proves that they are more than capable of protecting a lead. They haven't exactly parked the bus so far, and if the Gunners should get a second goal then we could well see the hosts batten down the hatches.

KICKOFF: Arsenal get us back underway for the second half as they look to complete the turnaround and book their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Two more goals are needed!

CHANCE! Decent chance for Arsenal right at the start of the half as Sanchez races on to a Giroud flick down the left channel. His cross is cut out by Abdennour, but again the defender can't get much on his clearance and it falls to Giroud. The striker wildly lashes at his effort, however, and skews it closer to the corner flag.

Kurzawa is very fortunate here as he turns into trouble on the edge of his own box and then simply falls over without an Arsenal player touching him. The referee is fooled, however, and awards Monaco a free kick when Welbeck had the ball in a very dangerous position.

Arsenal have quickly reassumed control of this match. They are being patient at the moment, not simply hoofing it forward to Giroud, and the pressure continues to build on the Monaco defence.

YELLOW CARD! Kondogbia goes into the book for a late challenge on Sanchez, which gives the Gunners a free kick in a very dangerous position...

SAVE! It is Ozil who goes for goal, curling one over the wall and forcing the keeper into the save. It is one that Subasic would expect to make, but he can only tip it over the bar, which allows Arsenal to maintain their pressure.

Monaco could do with settling back into their normal game here. They are acutely aware of their position in the tie now, and the thought of encouraging Arsenal by conceding another goal seems to be scaring them to death. They are playing aimless long balls forward from defence and have lacked composure in possession for much of this game, gifting the ball straight back to the visitors and allowing them to launch another attack.

Suddenly, Monaco spark into life as Kondogbia drives forward from midfield. He pokes a pass through for Dirar, who only has the keeper to beat, but he is denied by the linesman's flag.

Another good break from Monaco as they build a period of pressure themselves. They get a number of chances to put the ball into the box, but each time Arsenal thwart the delivery or shot with a piece of fairly desperate defending.

MONACO SUB: The first change of the evening sees Martial make way for Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco, who scored the third goal in the first leg. He will provide plenty of pace on the counter, as he showed at the Emirates.

Monaco have a chance to put the ball into the area from a dangerous free kick, and Moutinho's delivery is a very good one. There are three Monaco players queuing up unmarked in the middle, but it is just too high for Berbatov and Ospina is able to claim.

ARSENAL SUB: The Gunners make their first change of the evening, and it is an attacking one from Wenger as he replaces Coquelin with Aaron Ramsey, who will show more attacking intent.

CLOSE! Ramsey almost makes an immediate impact, linking up with Bellerin on the right as the full-back lifts a cross into the box. Again there is an unmarked Arsenal player on the edge looking to pounce on any clearance, and sure enough the loose ball falls kindly for Ozil. He catches his shot sweetly but it fizzes just past the post.

Arsenal have started to crank up the pressure again following a 10-minute spell or so in which Monaco began to stem the tide a little. The Gunners aren't in complete control as they have been for much of the match, however, and you can sense some anxiety beginning to creep into their game.

Brilliant play from Ferreira-Carrasco as he bursts forward from midfield, beating three Arsenal players on his way to the edge of the box. He runs out of steam a little at the end, however, and is eventually crowded out having been tracked all the way by Bellerin.

Ozil has been far too negative in his play today, it must be said. He has sent one or two probing passes forward, but more often than not he has turned back and played it sideways or backwards. He hasn't kept the momentum of attacks going and it was something of a surprise not to see Ramsey replace him instead of Coquelin.

MONACO SUB: A second change for the hosts as Berbatov is replaced by Bernardo Silva for the final 20 minutes.

ARSENAL SUB: The visitors also make a second change and it is Theo Walcott who Wenger has turned to on this occasion. He replaces Welbeck, who has had a decent game tonight.

Dangerous play from Ferreira-Carrasco as he works a yard down the right channel before drilling the ball right across the face of goal. Ospina is unable to cut it out, but there are no white and red shirts there to tap it home.

Arsenal are looking increasingly vulnerable on the break, but they have little option but to throw caution to the wind now. There is still time for them to get their goals - they got two in the final 10 minutes at the weekend, after all - but it is ticking away and they could really do with one in the next few minutes.

Monaco are happy to break the game up with more and more niggly fouls at the moment, which is preventing Arsenal from getting into any sort of rhythm. It is a fairly scrappy period of the game right now.

Arsenal are just camped in the Monaco half right now as the hosts packed everyone behind the ball in their own third. Ferreira-Carrasco provides the pace on the break, but right now Monaco are solely intent on keeping Arsenal at bay.

Arsenal have a second and are in the verge of completing the turnaround here! Ozil lifts the ball forward to Monreal, whose cross picks out Walcott in the middle. The winger places his shot towards the bottom corner, but the chance seems to have gone when it comes back off the foot of the post. Arsenal keep possession, however, and Ramsey drills a low strike into the bottom far corner from inside the box. Game on now!

This game is teetering on a knife edge now. Arsenal are one goal away from pulling off a remarkable comeback and, if they get that without reply in the final 10 minutes, they will be in the quarter-finals. Should Monaco score, Arsenal will still need a goal, which would then force extra time should it end 3-1.

ARSENAL SUB: A third and final change for the visitors as Kieran Gibbs replaces Monreal at left-back.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Arsenal to get the third goal! A free kick is floated to the back post and both Sanchez and Giroud are unmarked waiting for it. It looks as those Sanchez nods it against Giroud, but Subasic reacts to make a stop on his line from point-blank range. They really should have scored there!

Arsenal have just five minutes remaining to get that one more goal they need to progress. Remember, they have fallen one short against AC Milan and Bayern Munich in recent seasons, and as things stand they are in for that heartbreak once again.

MONACO SUB: The hosts make their final change of the match as Elderson replaces Dirar. That is, unsurprisingly, a defensive switch from Leonardo Jardim.

Monaco have the ball up at the right end of the field as far as they are concerned right now. They win a few throw-ins in good positions and keep the ball in the corner as they look to wind down the clock. It is approaching make-or-break time for Arsenal.

It's pinball in the area as Ramsey, Gibbs and Sanchez are all queuing up to try to get a shot away. It is far too congested, though, and Monaco just about scramble the danger away. It is backs-to-the-wall stuff for the hosts here.

Good news for Arsenal - they will have FIVE added minutes in which to find a goal here!

Monaco just can't keep the ball here. Every time they win it back it goes straight back to Arsenal, whose pressure is relentless now. They need to get their foot on the ball and get out of their own half.

Monaco hold out and progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League despite an admirable Arsenal fightback. They fall one goal short again, however, with strikes from Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey either side of half time not being enough for them to overturn their 3-1 deficit from the first leg. It ends 3-3 on aggregate, but it is Monaco who progress on away goals.

That is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for a tense, dramatic but ultimately fruitless 90 minutes of Champions League football for Arsenal as they are knocked out on away goals by Monaco. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!