Veteran striker Dimitar Berbatov says Monaco fully expected to exploit Arsenal's wandering defence as they took control of their Champions League last 16 tie with a 3-1 win at the Emirates Stadium.
The Ligue 1 side showed just why they have proven to be a difficult team to break down when frustrating Arsenal's marauding attack before taking the lead with a 25-yard deflected effort from Geoffrey Kondogbia, before former Tottenham striker Berbatov silenced the boo-boys with a second on the break as the home side pressed a high line.
Even after substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had grabbed a lifeline with a stoppage-time goal, Arsenal failed to retain their shape as they chased an equaliser with Yannick Carrasco slotting home a third on the break.
Berbatov, the 34-year-old Bulgarian who left Fulham to join Monaco in January 2014, felt that was always going to prove the undoing of Arsene Wenger's attack-minded team.
Asked if he was surprised to find so many holes in the home side's defence, Berbatov said: "To be honest, no, because Arsenal have very quick players, when they go forward they have a leave a lot of space at the back.
"We knew that, we prepared well and we took advantage of it.
"We knew what their weaknesses were and we exploited them and I think everyone can agree that we deserved to win."
Monaco came into the tie as the unfancied seeds, having edged through at the top of their group ahead of Bayer Leverkusen, but also conceding just twice in the previous 17 matches.
Berbatov, who also had a spell at Manchester United, reckons Leonardo Jardim's men were well worth their victory, although warned against any complacency for the second leg in Monte Carlo.
"Did you not think we could do something? I know that our team is very young, but they are very talented players. With a mix of experience and youth, if you do what your coach says and you prepare well, you can see the result," he said.
"However, this is Arsenal, so it (the tie) is not over."
Source: PA
