Arsenal climbed to third in the Champions League standings Wednesday evening, dispatching Monaco 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium through Bukayo Saka’s clinical double and a late Kai Havertz strike.
The Gunners overcame early frustrations when Myles Lewis-Skelly’s skilled midfield play in the 34th minute released Gabriel Jesus, who found an unmarked Saka for a simple finish. Though Monaco threatened briefly after halftime through Thilo Kehrer’s header and Breel Embolo’s low drive, Saka effectively sealed the match in the 78th minute, capitalizing on Mohammed Salisu’s errant pass and goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki’s poor clearance.
Arsenal’s Brazilian striker Jesus epitomized the early struggles, missing two clear chances within minutes as Majecki denied him from close range. Martin Odegaard also squandered a golden opportunity, sliding his shot wide after dispossessing Soungoutou Magassa.
“Arsenal’s chief creator Martin Odegaard had an excellent opportunity to double his side’s advantage shortly after the opener, but the skipper uncharacteristically fluffed his lines,” match observers noted. The victory, completed by Havertz’s deflected shot from Saka’s strike, positions Arsenal strongly for automatic qualification with matches against Dinamo Zagreb and Girona remaining in early 2025.
Lewis-Skelly, making a surprise start at age 18, impressed by helping create the opener and containing Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche before his 64th-minute substitution.
