Kenny Cunningham believes a lack of leaders at the back hampered Arsenal in their disappointing 3-1 defeat to Monaco.

The Gunners had been favourites ahead of the Champions League last-16 tie but put in an abject performance.

Cunningham felt Arsenal centre-back Per Mertesacker was exposed during the match when he analysed the match on Off The Ball tonight.

"For me it's the central defensive position. You talk about getting characters into the team if they got a big character at centre-half to play alongside Koscielny. We saw Mertesacker again this evening. He was very loose and got horribly exposed for the second goal. At this level, I don't think you can carry a player like that. I know he's a very big, experienced player but at this stage of his career, I don't think you can carry him. He's too immobile and slow on the turn," said Cunningham.    

He was also disappointed by Arsenal's lack of discpline in and out of possession.

"I saw Arsenal centre-halves get the ball, centre-midfielders coming too deep to receive the ball. I saw wide-men, instead of holding their position out wide, coming on the inside to receive the ball. Far too narrow, far too predictable," he said, adding that there was a lack of quick ball or intensity, and focused in on Mesut Ozil's performance and body language.