The reason we lost that game was how we were set up in the first half. The defence wasn't really the problem, more the result of a poor first half game plan, although the wingbacks are obviously terrible and Sagna was especially bad last night.
Whilst I'm not necessarily against playing all five of Sterling, Sane, De Bruyne, Silva and Aguero together, playing Silva in a defacto central midfield role is basically suicide. There was absolutely no link between the defence and the attack, Silva, whilst a brilliant player in his role, cannot play any sort of linking role.
Fernandinho was all over the place trying to defend 3 players at once and when he rarely got the ball he had no nearby options or outlets because all five of those forward players were too far away. The second half Silva was moved forward and De Bruyne was moved into central midfield, playing a box to box role that, while maybe ignoring some of his best qualities, served the team far better and he helped break up Monaco through the middle and has an amazing range of passing. The third goal was hugely against the run of play and, dare I say it, probably would not have happened if Otamendi played instead of Kolarov in central defence. Hindsight, of course, as Kolarov was pretty good last night. Better than Stones which is shocking.
In regards to Sterling, he can do great things and with a great first touch created the opportunity for the goal last night. He can be brilliant, but most of the time he hesitates, he gets balls in good positions on fast counter attacks and stutters, dances and has a disgustingly bad final ball. Navas level. Whilst my post was an obvious emotional reaction, I stand by it and find him a disgustingly frustrating player to watch.
I'd gladly swap him for any player at Arsenal if you want him off your hands.
We'll take Bellerin thanks. The upgrade from Sagna/Zaba to Bellerin is far larger than the downgrade we'd take at Sterling's position (if there's even a downgrade at all).