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
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
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 0-0 Monaco, 30 minutes
Those two big chances do mean that Gabriel Jesus’s lean scoring run continues - for now, at least. It’s been a curious period for the forward but there are some signs of sharpness tonight.
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco, 28 minutes
Another outstanding stop! There’s no fault on the part of Gabriel Jesus here, latching on to a firm Gabriel Martinelli pass and holding off Thilo Kehrer. Kehrer gets a deflecting foot in which makes the savve all the tougher for Radoslaw Majecki, but the Monaco goalkeeper’s akimbo limbs do the job.
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco, 26 minutes
Huge chance! A superb save from Radoslaw Majecki but Gabriel Jesus has to be scoring, the Brazilian sprung by a straight, long pass that the goalkeeper for some reason doesn’t come to collect. Jesus hits the bouncing ball low on the volley and Majecki thrusts out a blocking right leg to deny him.
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco, 24 minutes
Martin Odegaard picks the ball up in the box and shakes some salsa hips in a bid to create enough room to stab a shot away. He does, eventually, curl an effort goalwards, but the required arc isn’t generated to find the target.
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco, 23 minutes
Smart play from Bukayo Saka, sent down a blind alley but using his body to force a foul from Soungoutou Magassa about 35 yards from his own goal.
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco, 21 minutes
Declan Rice gets himself into and out of bother, putting the pedal down to ensure a loose touch isn’t pounced upon by a pair of pressuring Monaco players. The midfielder then shows off his ever-impressive striding speed to come forward but fails to release Gabriel Jesus.
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco, 20 minutes
Some news, by the way, on former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, absent from the Monaco squad tonight with a shoulder injury - the American is set for surgery on the problem, with the prognosis for a return uncertain.
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco, 18 minutes
A midfield misfire affords Monaco the opportunity to come forward at speed, though support for Lamine Camara is short, and Breel Embolo almost demands the midfielder turn back to find a teammate rather than try to go it alone. Camara heeds the call as both teams settle back into shape.
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco, 16 minutes
That said, the game maybe hasn’t quite burst into life just yet. Mikel Arteta tugs at his bottom lip as he paces around the technical area.
Arsenal 0-0 Monaco, 14 minutes
That Gabriel Martinelli/Mikel Merino connection is showing some really promising signs for the hosts. Having got to the byline, the Spaniard’s latest delivery is cleared well by a Monaco defender.
Merino is being afforded the freedom by Myles Lewis-Skelly tucking in to a midfield position he would more often occupy.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments