Champions League review: imperious Monaco, Arsenal implode and brittle City

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Talking points, statistics and the best images from the latest games of the tournament’s knockout stages

Much has been written about Arsenal’s failings and we can be fairly certain there’s plenty more opprobrium in the pipeline, so let’s use this platform to salute the courage, strength and indefatigability of their conquerers Monaco, who arrived at the Emirates missing five first team regulars, including their suspended captain Jérémy Toulalan. Disciplined, composed, assured, defensively solid, clinical and incredibly well organised, the visitors were everything Arsenal were not and in Fabinho had the game’s standout player. Patrolling the space in front of his back four, the 21-year-old Brazilian provided a passable imitation of the wrecking ball Arsenal fans have been pleading with their manager to bring on board in a bid to bolster a brittle defence whose myriad shortcomings were once again highlighted last night. Not bad for a player who is by trade a right-back.

3 - No team has lost a European Cup/CL first leg knockout tie at home by 2 goals and progressed to the next round since Ajax in 1969. Task.

First EVER #UCL red card for Atlético Madrid (in 42nd match). Only Celtic had played more matches (49) from debut before receiving 1st red.

8 - The keeper dived left in the last eight Leo Messi penalties saved by a keeper in all competitions. Intuition http://ift.tt/1zhbrlc

Geoffrey Kondogbia is the first French player to score a CL goal for Monaco in more than 10 years, since Gaël Givet on 8 December 2004.

4 - Marco Reus has scored in each of his last four CL games (5 goals). Prodigy.

Man City - Barça: Suarez has now scored 5 goals from his last 6 shots on target on Joe Hart in all competitions (incl. World Cup). #MCFCB

200 - Barcelona have now conceded 200 goals in the Champions League, in this, their 200th game. Neat.

1 - Manchester City have only kept one clean sheet in 13 home Champions League games (2-0 v Bayern Munich, December 2011). Test.