The critics were left sharpening their knives after Arsenal slipped to a 3-1 home defeat to Leonardo Jardim's men in Wednesday's Champions League last-16 first leg, which left them a tall order to turn the tie around in the return meeting.
Arsenal were too often exposed in defence against the Ligue 1 side, while striker Olivier Giroud endured a dreadful outing in front of goal.
"There's nobody to blame individually. Who is a striker who didn't miss a chance? The fact that we missed some chances was only one of the characteristics of the night," he said.
"For us what is important is to respond well. We are on a strong run in the Premier League and we have to respond to that disappointment in a strong way on Sunday afternoon - that's all we can do.
"What is hurting is the defeat more than the criticism. I do not say I'm immune to it. I love to win and when I don't win, I'm hurt of course."
In contrast to Arsenal's woes, Everton's continental adventure continued in the Europa League as a 3-1 victory at home to Young Boys completed a 7-2 aggregate triumph.
Roberto Martinez's side have now lost just once in their past seven matches and there is further cause for optimism in the fact Everton have not been beaten by Arsenal in the last five league meetings between the sides.
Martinez does not expect Arsenal to show any effects from their poor showing against Monaco, though, and pointed to the Londoners' excellent home league record as a sign of the difficultly Everton face.
"I don't think Arsenal will suffer from what happened against Monaco," he said.
"You need to remember they only have one [league] defeat at home. We are desperate to go for a good result."
