Geoffrey Kondogbia
Geoffrey Kondogbia opened the scoring at the Emirates Stadium. Getty Images

Arsenal have been urged to sign Monaco's Geoffrey Kondogbia to cure their defensive midfield problems after Arsene Wenger's side were outclassed during their harrowing Champions League defeat to Monaco.

Kondogbia struck in the first half before Dimitar Berbatov and substitute Yannick Ferreira Carrasco scored after the break, as Monaco put one foot in the last eight with a crushing 3-1 win.

Monaco's performance was illuminated by Kondogbia's performance, as he delivered the goods at both ends of the pitch. And former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp says the France international is just who Arsenal need.

"Arsenal were off the cuff," he told Sky Sports. "I didn't think Coquelin was too bad but he was taken off as he was booked so Arsenal were left with Cazorla, a wonderfully gifted attacking player, Rosicky and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain," Redknapp said

"That midfield couldn't tackle a hot dinner! Kondogbia was incredible for Monaco, he was exactly the player Arsenal needed to sign."

The result leaves Arsenal facing an uphill task to reverse their fortunes in three weeks in the return leg as their wait to reach the Champions League last eight, which they haven't achieved since 2010, looks set to continue.

"[That was] probably Arsene Wenger's most disappointing performance in Europe, ever," Redknapp added.

"I came here today and was really looking forward to watching Arsenal play. I expected something special, but it just didn't happen.

"They played against a Monaco side that were organised, well drilled, did their jobs when they had the ball and when they didn't. That was the difference. It was so disappointing, so inept.

"Monaco are 11 points behind Lyon and four or five of their best players weren't playing. Everything that is bad about Arsenal over the last five or six years, we saw today. This is the sort of night that gives Arsene Wenger's critics oxygen."