Arsenal 3-0 Monaco: Bukayo Saka's double secures victory as Mikel ...

Arsenal are closing in on qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League after a 3-0 victory over Monaco at Emirates Stadium.

Barring a Aleksandr Golovin strike flashing inches wide of David Raya's post, Arsenal were on top from the very first whistle.

They should have had the lead earlier than they did but Gabriel Jesus, who had scored just one goal in 32 matches coming to the game, was denied twice when clear through on goal by Radoslaw Majecki.

However, the breakthrough eventually came in the 34th minute when Jesus teed up Bukayo Saka after good work from Myles Lewis-Skelly, who was making his first Champions League start for the Gunners.

The hosts should have been further ahead before the break but skipper Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli both fired wide of the far post to keep Monaco in the game.

Just like at the start of the game, Monaco almost caught Arsenal cold at the beginning of the second half. Lamine Camara's free kick picked out Thilo Kehrer, but the former West Ham defender planted his header wide of the upright.

The visitors should have been level midway through the second period when William Saliba uncharacteristically gifted possession to Takumi Minamino. The former Liverpool player picked out Breel Embolo in the penalty area and after turning Jakub Kiwior inside out, the Switzerland striker fired a low shot agonisingly wide.

Arsenal were hanging on but the game was eventually made safe after a gift from goalkeeper Majecki. Under pressure from Odegaard, he passed the ball straight to Saka, who made no mistake for his second goal of the night.

Substitute Kai Havertz scored late to put the gloss on what was not a straightforward night for the Gunners, but they rise to third in the Champions League standings. A win in their next fixture at home to Dinamo Zagreb on January 22 would more than likely secure qualification to the last 16.

'Incredible' Saka stars for Arsenal again

It was another brilliant night for Saka, who showed his importance to Arsenal again by scoring his third and fourth Champions League goals of the season.

The England international has now scored in six of his seven home Champions League appearances for the Gunners (seven goals), while he has been involved in 14 goals in 14 games overall for the Gunners in the competition (eight goals and six assists).

Only Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah (16 goals and 12 assists) has been involved in more goals in all competitions among Premier League players this season than Bukayo Saka (nine goals and 12 assists).

Arsenal boss Arteta said he is not surprised by Saka's contribution and backed him to keep improving.

"He's incredible," Arteta said. I think his goal involvement in the season in 21 matches I think is 20 goals or something ridiculous this. But that's him, very humble, a great guy to have around the place and an incredible talent.

"He keeps surprising us. "That's what he wants to do. That's the quality that he has, that's the ambition that he has and how he's preparing himself every day. I'm not surprised, but it's very difficult to do what he's doing."

When asked about comparisons between the numbers of Saka and Harry Kane and Vinciius Jr, Arteta added: "You have to be able to do that consistently for many years to be in that position. What he's done at his age you can put it in brackets because you can compare what he's done in his first six years of professional football - which is exceptional. That's it. His aim is to improve. He has the players and the environment around to continue to do that and I'm sure he will.

"He's a special person. He's a great guy to have around the team. In his role, his leadership is increasing. With the young kids he is amazing, with the seniors he is amazing. He is loved by everybody, you can tell that, and when he is on that pitch, he's making the difference for us."

Arteta: We suffered then gained control

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta speaking to TNT Sports:

"Very happy with scoring three goals and keeping the clean sheet in the game - extremely happy.

"We started the game very well in the first half. It should have been three or four at least and then we could have put the game to bed.

"We didn't and in the Champions League, you have difficult moments. We had that for a period of time, probably longer than expected because we weren't precise enough, we didn't adjust to the press well enough, and we suffered.

"But then with the second goal I thought the game was in control and I'm happy with the three points."

On scoring from open play, Arteta added: "They were very different goals the three of them, and that's what we want from every phase of play - be a threat.

"As I said, we could have scored many more in open play. For me, open play and set-pieces are all part of the game. But anyway, very happy."

Really proud moment. He’s one of our own. It’s just a joy to watch him and a privilege to give a chance to somebody to change his career. It’s great that we can trust him and I was really happy with his performance. Arteta on Lewis-Skelly's performance

Lewis-Skelly: I'm proud of myself

Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly, speaking to TNT Sports, on his involvement in the first goal:

"I saw the ball getting switched over from Martin [Odegaard] and saw I was getting pressed, so I thought, 'keep calm and take the ball away from him'. I saw Gabi [Jesus] peeling off and then Bukayo [Saka] was great timing for the finish, he's always there so can't complain.

"I'm proud of myself, I believe in myself. I've come a long way and I want to thank everyone for giving me the opportunity. Hopefully it's the first of many and I push on from here.

"I'm looking up to Bukayo, he knows everything, so it's the mindset. I've learned a lot from him, I want to keep learning from him."

Merson lauds Arsenal's next generation

Sky Sports' Paul Merson on Soccer Special:

"There will be a lot of proud people at Arsenal, people involved in the academy. To bring players through like Bukayo Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, young players playing in the Champions League, especially when you are talking about a team of this magnitude.

"It's hard to do now so everyone at the club should be proud of themselves.

"Watching them play, you wouldn't know they are kids. Lewis-Skelly gave the ball away once just before he came off and he was unlucky with that.

"Then Nwaneri comes on, gets on the ball and just plays. Fair play to everyone at Arsenal.

"In the end, it was a comfortable win and a good night's work."

Story of the match in stats

'Arsenal deserved victory'

Monaco boss Adi Hutter:

"Arsenal deserved this win. They were the better team. This is what we expected but second half, I don't want to say we were dominating but we were much better. Had some good chances with Kehrer and Minamino. The second goal was the crucial moment - we gave Arsenal some gifts.

"At this level, it's impossible. It's not acceptable to do what we did. These mistakes are more gifts - we were lucky that Arsenal missed so many chances.

"Second half, I was happy how we started. This is the football I want to see - brave, here in Emirates Stadium. We have a young squad. There were moments when we were closer to the equaliser. But then after the second goal, it was too much at this level."

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