Bukayo Saka was the star of the present as Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 win over AS Monaco on the Emirates Stadium to maneuver into the highest eight of the UEFA Champions League desk.
Saka opened the scoring within the first half, tapping residence from Gabriel Jesus’ cross after nice work from teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly helped unlock the Monaco defence.
And Arsenal ought to have been additional forward on the break, lacking a hatful of probabilities in a one-sided affair.
The guests improved after the interval, with Breel Embolo going near an equaliser, however Saka made the night comfy when he and substitute Kai Havertz mixed to drive an error from Monaco on the again, with Havertz teeing up his team-mate for the end.
A late third got here once more from Saka’s drilled shot, which took a double deflection off Havertz and Thilo Kehrer to beat the keeper on the close to publish, incomes Arsenal three factors that sends them as much as third in a highly-congested prime half of the desk.
Speaking Level – Arteta’s tactical change proves essential
Arsenal had been the higher aspect for a lot of the sport, however had been coming underneath some strain at 1-0 within the second half.
Mikel Arteta’s choice so as to add solidity at left-back with Jurrien Timber and look to extra of a counter-attacking model by utilizing Havertz’s maintain up play proved an impressed adjustment, with Monaco utterly dropping their approach after Arsenal’s triple change on 64 minutes. It was a intelligent tactical change.
Participant Of The Match – Bukayo Saka
So usually Arsenal look to their proper winger for inspiration in a decent recreation, and as soon as once more it was Saka who proved the distinction on the night time.
He was within the excellent place to complete off the opener and ruthless in the best way he punished Monaco’s error for the second.
He deserved a hat-trick and nearly obtained it late on, with the double deflection denying him the match ball, however on this form of type, he’s approaching a cheat code for Arsenal.
Participant Scores
Arsenal: Raya 8; Partey 7, Saliba 7, Kiwior 7, Lewis-Skelly 7; Merino 8, Rice 7, Odegaard 8; Saka 9, Jesús 6, Martinelli 7. Subs: Timber 8, Trossard 6, Jorginho 7, Nwaneri 6.
AS Monaco: Majecki 8; Vanderson 7, Salisu 6, Kehrer 6, Henrique 6; Camara 7, Magassa 6, Golovin 6; Seghir 6, Embolo 7, Akliouche 6. Subs: Minamino 7, Teze 6, Matazo 6, Ilenikhena 6.
Match Highlights
34’ – GOAL! ARSENAL 1-0 AS MONACO (SAKA) Saka tucks residence on the again publish to place Arsenal forward, however the gamers all mob Lewis-Skelly for his half within the build-up. He did fantastically to show away from strain earlier than slipping a beautiful ball by way of to Jesus on the left of the field, who performed the right cross for Saka to complete on the again publish. 1-0. Excellent aim.
78’ – GOAL! ARSENAL 2-0 AS MONACO (SAKA) It’s a present for Arsenal because the goalkeeper hesitates when responding to a move from Salisu, permitting Havertz to nip in and rob possession. Havertz lays it again to Saka, and he curls residence a end into the far nook for his second aim of the night time. 2-0.
88’ – GOAL! ARSENAL 3-0 AS MONACO (HAVERTZ) Arsenal take a fast free-kick to catch out Monaco. Trossard crosses and the ball deflects to Saka, who shoots low on the again publish. The ball flicks off hassle Havertz and Kehrer to beat the goalkeeper and Arsenal rejoice a 3rd aim. It’s checked for offside however the aim stands.