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 1-0 Monaco, 45 minutes
One additional minute at the end of the first half. Gabriel Martinelli almost puts himself in hot water as he is whistled twice in a matter of moments, the Brazilian booked earlier and thus rather fortunate that referee Felipe Massa feels no need to go to his pocket again.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco, 44 minutes
The good news, I guess, for Arsenal is that they are creating plenty of chances in open play, which has been a problem of late. Only one of those has been converted, though - and I think Monaco will be relatively pleased if it remains 1-0 at the interval, which is imminent.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco, 41 minutes
The offiside flag is up as Gabriel Martinelli curls beyond the far stick as Arsenal again part Monaco’s defence a little too easily. I’m not sure Martinelli was offside on the replay - and the hosts could really be out of sight by now.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco, 40 minutes
It should be 2-0! Dreadful play from Soungoutou Magassa, a blind ball never with a hope of getting to Thilo Kehrer given the intervening presence of Martin Odegaard. Having skipped past the German defender, Odegaard bears down on goal and drags his effort past both goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki and the post.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco, 38 minutes
Another glimpse for Arsenal, Gabriel Martinelli gathering and taking aim in one movement. A few feet wide with the snapshot.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco, 36 minutes
Akliouche is left alone by Lewis-Skelly and lifts a cross-cum-shot towards the far corner. David Raya and his defenders watch it go.
Arsenal 1-0 Monaco, 36 minutes
That really was tidy stuff from the 18-year-old left-back, under duress from Maghnes Akliouche but pivoting away from him with aplomb.
GOAL! ARSENAL 1-0 Monaco (Bukayo Saka, 34 minutes)
Fine work from Myles Lewis-Skelly and Bukayo Saka taps home the opener!
A delightful passing move. Lewis-Skelly is at the heart of it, taking Martin Odegaard’s switch and evading a would-be tackler. He slots in Gabriel Jesus, who measures his low cross pperfectly to allow Saka to provide the finishing touches.
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