Saka double places spectacular Arsenal a step nearer to UCL knockouts

Bukayo Saka was the star of the present as Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 win over AS Monaco on the Emirates Stadium to maneuver into the highest eight of the UEFA Champions League desk.

Saka opened the scoring within the first half, tapping house from Gabriel Jesus’ cross after nice work from teen Myles Lewis-Skelly helped unlock the Monaco defence.

And Arsenal ought to have been additional forward on the break, lacking a hatful of possibilities in a one-sided affair.

The guests improved after the interval, with Breel Embolo going near an equaliser, however Saka made the night comfy when he and substitute Kai Havertz mixed to pressure an error from Monaco on the again, with Havertz teeing up his team-mate for the end.

A late third got here once more from Saka’s drilled shot, which took a double deflection off Havertz and Thilo Kehrer to beat the keeper on the close to submit, incomes Arsenal three factors that sends them as much as third in a highly-congested high half of the desk.

Arsenal have been the higher facet for a lot of the sport, however have been coming beneath some stress at 1-0 within the second half.

Mikel Arteta’s determination so as to add solidity at left-back with Jurrien Timber and look to extra of a counter-attacking model through the use of Havertz’s maintain up play proved an impressed adjustment, with Monaco utterly dropping their approach after Arsenal’s triple change on 64 minutes. It was a intelligent tactical change.

So usually Arsenal look to their proper winger for inspiration in a decent sport, and as soon as once more it was Saka who proved the distinction on the night time.

He was within the excellent place to complete off the opener and ruthless in the best way he punished Monaco’s error for the second.

He deserved a hat-trick and nearly acquired it late on, with the double deflection denying him the match ball, however on this type of type, he’s approaching a cheat code for Arsenal.

Arsenal: Raya 8; Partey 7, Saliba 7, Kiwior 7, Lewis-Skelly 7; Merino 8, Rice 7, Odegaard 8; Saka 9, Jesús 6, Martinelli 7. Subs: Timber 8, Trossard 6, Jorginho 7, Nwaneri 6.

AS Monaco: Majecki 8; Vanderson 7, Salisu 6, Kehrer 6, Henrique 6; Camara 7, Magassa 6, Golovin 6; Seghir 6, Embolo 7, Akliouche 6. Subs: Minamino 7, Teze 6, Matazo 6, Ilenikhena 6.

34’ – GOAL! ARSENAL 1-0 AS MONACO (SAKA) Saka tucks house on the again submit to place Arsenal forward, however the gamers all mob Lewis-Skelly for his half within the build-up. He did fantastically to show away from stress earlier than slipping a beautiful ball by to Jesus on the left of the field, who performed the right cross for Saka to complete on the again submit. 1-0. Excellent aim.

78’ – GOAL! ARSENAL 2-0 AS MONACO (SAKA) It’s a present for Arsenal because the goalkeeper hesitates when responding to a move from Salisu, permitting Havertz to nip in and rob possession. Havertz lays it again to Saka, and he curls house a end into the far nook for his second aim of the night time. 2-0.

88’ – GOAL! ARSENAL 3-0 AS MONACO (HAVERTZ) Arsenal take a fast free-kick to catch out Monaco. Trossard crosses and the ball deflects to Saka, who shoots low on the again submit. The ball flicks off trouble Havertz and Kehrer to beat the goalkeeper and Arsenal rejoice a 3rd aim. It’s checked for offside however the aim stands.