As was talked about the TV pundits, this Champions League exit for Arsenal came at the same stage of the competition than the last four seasons. But they were also right in saying that this one was the most painful for fans and players alike because we were all so confident of getting past Monaco.
Arsene Wenger and the players need to use the painful memory of this disappointing defeat to spur them on. There are a few lessons to be learned and if we learn them, perhaps we can avoid this next season.
We cannot take any team in the Champions League lightly as we did in the home leg. It was a terrible performance all over the pitch and it was clear that complacency was to blame.
Another thing we must make sure of next season is to win our group and give ourselves another good chance to put this right because we are not likely to get so lucky with the draw again.
Our game management has to be batter. How many times have we chased a game recklessly and been punished. That third goal at the Emirates was the prime example and with a whole game left to play, it was needless. Fair enough in the second half in Monaxco but we have to stop being so naive.
We should not be patting ourselves on the back for winning in Monaco, but regretting that we put ourselves in such a bad position. We have done this before though, so will Arsenal ever learn?