Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud 'hurting' after a tough game against Monaco

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has is still "hurting" after an "embarrassing" performance during the humiliating 3-1 defeat against Monaco during the Champions League last 16 first-legs on Wednesday night.

The French international striker arrived to the game against the Ligue 1 side full of confidence after a good run following his return to action.

However, he ruined a string of chances before being replaced by Theo Walcott early on in the second half.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted just after the game that the striker "had an off night and missed an easy chance" but on 27 February, during the press conference ahead of the Everton game, tried to take the blame from him.

"Olivier is like everybody else – disappointed. There's nobody to blame individually. Who is a striker who didn't miss a chance? He had his chances and he missed. For us on the night, everything went against us," Wenger said.

"The fact that we missed some chances was only one of the characteristics of the night. Olivier's a strong character. Personally I don't blame him at all. We lost as a team, we fight for each other as a team and he worked hard for the team even on the night. He didn't miss the chances on purpose. He wanted to score the goals but that can happen."

The striker has been the subject of a mounting scrutiny, especially since he himself has admitted he is hurt by the missed chances but added that he is confident he can overcome the situation, both on a personal and team level in the coming games.

"I am not a better or worse player than three days ago, it is just about confidence and keeping [strong]," the striker told Arsenal Player.

"I am really hurting, more than disappointed, it has been embarrassing for me. But I have never given up in my career and sometimes I have had tough games like that before."

Nevertheless, Giroud understood Wenger's decision to drop him earlier in the second half.

"It was difficult because nothing went right, everything was tough for me. I tried to keep focused but I understood why the boss wanted to substitute me. It was not my day.

"When you are a striker people expect more from you. I did well recently and scored a lot of goals, but when you miss chances it is like that - you have to question yourself. I will keep working hard and bounce back as soon as possible."