Saka double puts impressive Arsenal a step closer to UCL knockouts

Bukayo Saka was the star of the show as Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 win over AS Monaco at the Emirates Stadium to move into the top eight of the UEFA Champions League table.

Saka opened the scoring in the first half, tapping home from Gabriel Jesus’ cross after great work from youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly helped unlock the Monaco defence.

And Arsenal should have been further ahead at the break, missing a hatful of chances in a one-sided affair.

The visitors improved after the interval, with Breel Embolo going close to an equaliser, but Saka made the evening comfortable when he and substitute Kai Havertz combined to force an error from Monaco at the back, with Havertz teeing up his team-mate for the finish.

A late third came again from Saka’s drilled shot, which took a double deflection off Havertz and Thilo Kehrer to beat the keeper at the near post, earning Arsenal three points that sends them up to third in a highly-congested top half of the table.

Arsenal were the better side for much of the game, but were coming under some pressure at 1-0 in the second half.

Mikel Arteta’s decision to add solidity at left-back with Jurrien Timber and look to more of a counter-attacking style by using Havertz’s hold up play proved an inspired adjustment, with Monaco completely losing their way after Arsenal’s triple change on 64 minutes. It was a clever tactical switch.

So often Arsenal look to their right winger for inspiration in a tight game, and once again it was Saka who proved the difference on the night.

He was in the perfect place to finish off the opener and ruthless in the way he punished Monaco’s error for the second.

He deserved a hat-trick and almost got it late on, with the double deflection denying him the match ball, but in this sort of form, he is 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 home at the back post to put Arsenal ahead, but the players all mob Lewis-Skelly for his part in the build-up. He did superbly to turn away from pressure before slipping a gorgeous ball through to Jesus on the left of the box, who played the perfect cross for Saka to finish at the back post. 1-0. Superb goal.

78’ – GOAL! ARSENAL 2-0 AS MONACO (SAKA) It’s a gift for Arsenal as the goalkeeper hesitates when responding to a pass from Salisu, allowing Havertz to nip in and rob possession. Havertz lays it back to Saka, and he curls home a finish into the far corner for his second goal of the night. 2-0.

88’ – GOAL! ARSENAL 3-0 AS MONACO (HAVERTZ) Arsenal take a quick free-kick to catch out Monaco. Trossard crosses and the ball deflects to Saka, who shoots low at the back post. The ball flicks off bother Havertz and Kehrer to beat the goalkeeper and Arsenal celebrate a third goal. It’s checked for offside but the goal stands.