Saka brace earns a valuable win for the Gunners

Bukayo Saka scored a brace as Arsenal ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over Monaco in the Champions League.

Saka found the net in both halves, with substitute Kai Havertz adding a third, as Mikel Arteta’s side emerged victorious from a game they largely dominated at the Emirates.

The result moves the Gunners up to third in the Champions League table, while Monaco drop to 16th.

Good night work at N5 💪 pic.twitter.com/DomVfQTa0t

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 11, 2024

Both teams had been looking to build on impressive starts to their respective European campaigns.

Level on points at the table, with very little separating the two sides before kick-off. Their intentions coincided in the same way: to get into the top eight to ensure automatic qualification to the round of 16.

But it was the locals who seemed more up to the task. Gabriel Jesus had an early effort on goal, but his shot could only find the hands of Radoslaw Majecki in the Monaco goal.

Mikel Merino then flicked the ball across the six-yard box as Arsenal settled into their rhythm.

Majecki again saved well from Jesus on 25 minutes before making another impressive save to deny the Brazilian moments later.

Teenage wing-back Myles Lewis-Skelly was making his first Champions League start for the Gunners. And the 18-year-old, who barely put a foot wrong all evening, played a key role in opening the scoring.

After getting away from a rival, his pass found Jesus whose low cross was smashed at the back post by Saka.

Monaco’s young side had been calm but the hosts’ goal came as no surprise with Arteta’s side starting to show their class.

That dominance should have yielded a second goal when Martin Odegaard broke through one-on-one. But the Arsenal captain sent his shot wide of the mark when he should have done much better.

Bukayo Saka with an easy finish after a brilliant pass from Gabriel Jesus 😮‍💨

An incredible move from Myles Lewis-Skelly on his first Champions League start 👏

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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 11, 2024

After the break, the visitors brought on ex-Liverpool striker Takumi Minamino. The change seemed to breathe new life into Monaco.

Minamino first found the gloves of David Raya with a domestic effort before the Japan international found Breel Embolo, but the Swiss striker narrowly denied his fierce shot.

Meanwhile, Arsenal struggled to regain the momentum of the first half. Leandro Trossard fired a shot over the crossbar before Merino headed wide.

But just when it looked like the Gunners might be in the final 15 minutes, they were gifted a second goal when a disastrous mistake by Monaco defender Mohammed Salisu gifted Saka his second of the night.

Arsenal had rediscovered their mojo, while the two-goal deficit looked set to knock the visitors out.

And with three minutes left in the 90th, it was three when substitute Havertz headed Saka’s half-volley into the roof of the net.

Arsenal head into the busy national holiday period looking very healthy on the continent.