Arsene Wenger: Arsenal ‘suicidal defensively’ in Monaco defeat

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger accused his players of losing their nerve and blamed “suicidal” defending after a 3-1 home defeat by Monaco left them on the brink of Champions League elimination.

Goals from Geoffrey Kondogbia and Dimitar Berbatov put Monaco in control of the last-16 first-leg tie.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gave Arsenal hope late on, but Yannick Ferreira Carrasco sealed the visitors’ victory.

“It is just not right to give goals away the way we did,” said Wenger.

“We missed chances and were suicidal defensively.”

Arsenal must now score at least three goals when the sides meet at Stade Louis II on 17 March if they are to avoid exiting at the last-16 stage for the fifth straight season.

No side has lost a European Cup or Champions League first-leg knockout tie at home by two goals and progressed to the next round since Ajax in 1969.

Wenger said: “On the second and third goals, it was suicide. It looks like we have lost our nerve and our rationality. The heart took over the head and at this level that doesn’t work.”

Wenger warned prior to kick-off that Monaco – who conceded just once and scored only four goals in their group – would play on the counter-attack.

But his team were caught hopelessly on the break early in the second half as former Tottenham striker Berbatov added to Kondogbia’s deflected opener, and substitute Ferreira Carrasco netted another breakaway goal in added time.

“Mentally we were not sharp enough to get into this game,” added Wenger. “We rushed our game. We knew coming back in at half-time it was important not to concede the second goal but we were too impatient. It was more heart than brain.”

Olivier Giroud was taken off after missing a series of good chances

Wenger admitted Monaco’s third goal could be decisive, saying: “The task is massive now. The third goal makes it even more difficult. We will have a go of course.”

The Frenchman substituted compatriot Olivier Giroud on the hour mark after he missed the target with six efforts on goal.

Wenger said: “He missed some easy chances and it looked like it was not one of his best days.”

BBC