Arsenal 3-0 Monaco (December 11, 2024) Match analysis

Bukayo Saka once again proved a catalyst for Arsenal as his brace secured a relatively smooth 3-0 home win over AS Monaco that put the Londoners within sight of the knockout stages of the Champions League on Wednesday.

Mikel Arteta’s side began the game outside the top eight of the extended league phase and still had a lot to do to avoid being drawn into the playoffs.

It wasn’t easy for the hosts as they were guilty of some over-the-top finishing, but England striker Saka took his tally to nine goals in all competitions this season and Arsenal moved up to third in the table.

Arsenal, who still play against Dinamo Zagreb and Girona, have 13 points, while Monaco, who started the evening round with them, are in 16th place with 10 points.

Saka fired in a cross from Gabriel Jesus in the 34th minute, and just when it looked like a series of misses from his teammates might prove costly, Monaco handed him a gift-wrapped second goal in the 78th minute.

Substitute Kai Havertz secured Arsenal’s fourth win from six games in this year’s competition in the 88th minute.

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“In the first half we should have finished the game but we didn’t,” Arteta said. “There will be difficult moments in the Champions League and we suffered.”

“With the second goal the game was under control.”

Arteta was handicapped by defensive injuries and handed 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly his first Champions League appearance. The left-back played a key role in Saka’s opening goal.

He defied a challenge and showed great vision by breaking through Monaco’s defensive line with a precise pass to Jesus, who pushed the ball across the penalty area for Saka to convert.

“A really proud moment,” Arteta said of Lewis-Skelly. “He is one of us and he is a joy to watch. It’s great that we can trust him to play in this environment.”

Young Monaco’s initial attitude evaporated after the first game and they were lucky not to be buried before half-time.

A terrible mistake from Soungoutou Magassa put Martin Ødegaard clear on goal. The Norwegian looked certain to score, but his shot went wide of the post.

Jesus, who has scored just one goal in 19 appearances this season, had previously missed a one-on-one and another good chance, both times denied by Monaco goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki.

His Brazilian compatriot Gabriel Martinelli was also at fault as Arsenal somehow found themselves just one goal ahead at half-time.

Emboldened by these escape attempts, Monaco threatened to make Arsenal pay in the second half when Thilo Kehrer fired a header just wide from a free-kick and former Liverpool player Takumi Minamino then fired too close to David Raya as the Ball to him the area was cut back.

Breel Embolo’s shot on the turn clipped the post as Monaco grew in confidence and Arsenal looked nervous but then shot themselves in the foot.

Defender Mohammed Salisu and his goalkeeper Majecki got completely confused without pressure, Havertz pushed in and the ball circled to Saka, who shot into the empty goal.

Monaco have now suffered multiple defeats in the competition and with Aston Villa and Inter Milan still to come, their hopes of finishing in the top eight appear slim.

“First of all, a deserved win for Arsenal. Too many gifts from us, that’s not acceptable at this level,” said Monaco coach Adi Hutter. “I was happy with the first 20 minutes and also up to the second goal. The second half was really brave, but in the end there were too many big mistakes.”