Arsenal vs Monaco LIVE: Champions League result and reaction after Bukayo Saka double helps hosts to victory
Arsenal 3-0 Monaco: Kai Havertz added a third goal late on as Mikel Arteta’s side continued their strong Champions League campaign
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal took another step towards the Champions League knockout rounds as Bukayo Saka struck twice to help beat Monaco.
The hosts climbed back into the top eight of the league phase table with a 3-0 victory that always looked likely to be secured. Saka opened the scoring amid a flurry of first-half chances after good work in the build-up from youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly, utilised at left-back on his first Champions League start, and Gabriel Jesus.
And it was the England star who put the result beyond doubt 12 minutes from time, capitalising on a horrendous error in possession from visiting goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki. Ten minutes later, a third arrived as Kai Havertz’s shin diverted a Saka drive on to Thilo Kehrer’s foot and into the roof of the net.
Three more points leave Arsenal well placed to secure a potentially vital top eight finish that would spare them the added inconvenience of a two-legged play-off fixture. They face Dinamo Zagreb and Girona in their final two fixtures in January.
Re-live all of the Champions League action in our live blog below:
Arsenal 2-0 Monaco, 80 minutes
Martin Odegaard is replaced by Ethan Nwaneri as Mikel Arteta wastes no time hauling his captain off with the game seemingly won.
GOAL! ARSENAL 2-0 Monaco (Bukayo Saka, 78 minutes)
A defensive nightmare for Monaco and Bukayo Saka capitalises!
That ought to seal it. Kai Havertz and Saka press high and hard, forcing Mohammed Salisu into a foolish pass back to his goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki. The Pole looks lost as ball and Havertz arrive upon him in unison, with his stab only landing at the feet of an alert Saka. In goes his, and Arsenal’s second.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco, 74 minutes
Havertz’s first involvement is a good one, showing fine ball control to nimbly navigate between two Monaco defenders and liberate Leandro Trossard. Trossard again fails to connect with Martin Odegaard, though, and then blazes over the bar when the ball is returned to him.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco, 72 minutes
Searching for a second that would surely kill this fixture off, Mikel Arteta swaps strikers: Kai Havertz on, Gabriel Jesus off.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco, 68 minutes
Arsenal haven’t actually registered a shot since the restart after the half-time oranges. Leandro Trossard’s slide-rule pass is overhit and out of reach for Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco, 68 minutes
Martin Odegaard is furious as the referee awards a free kick Monaco’s way, the Arsenal captain losing his cool, rather, before his calm head returns. Gabriel Jesus ensures nothing comes of the set piece.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco, 66 minutes
Almost 1-1! Arsenal don’t settle after those alterations and give the ball away in their own final third to the lively Takumi Minamino. Breel Embolo lets Minamino’s pass run across him and strikes as he swivels, ruffling the side netting but not, crucially for a beaten David Raya, the back of the net.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco, 64 minutes
Here come the Arsenal reinforcements. Jorginho, Leandro Trossard and Jurrien Timber replace Declan Rice, Gabriel Martinelli and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who has had a very tidy night at left-back on the occasion of his first Champions League strat.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco, 63 minutes
Before they can arrive, Takumi Minamino’s goalward prod is flopped upon by David Raya, claiming in comfort as he hits the deck on his left side.
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